Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday underscored Pakistan’s desire to further develop a relationship with the United States based on mutual respect, trust, and interest.
During a conversation with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, PM Shehbaz congratulated the envoy on his presentation of credentials and expressed the hope that he would devote his efforts to deepening and enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries.
According to a statement released in this regard, the premier recalled the depth and breadth of the Pakistan-US relationship, underscoring those various dialogues established between Pakistan and US have been playing a critical role in strengthening the bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, IT, climate change, health, and energy.
“The prime minister emphasised that given Pakistan’s economic and demographic potential, US companies needed to be encouraged by the Development Finance Corporation of the US to invest in Pakistan’s large market,” the statement read.
During the conversation, he stressed the need to have the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Ministerial meeting take place later this year, and also hold the business opportunities conference this year.
PM Shehbaz stressed the need to have more exchanges at a high level between the two countries.
Ambassador Blome thanked Pakistan for its prompt and effective assistance in facilitating the evacuation from Afghanistan. In this context, the premier emphasised that the deepening of cooperation between Pakistan and the United States would promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and contribute to averting the humanitarian crisis in that country, which had been further aggravated by the recent earthquake.
Highlighting the rising wave of Islamophobia in India, PM Shehbaz condemned the sacrilegious remarks by the two BJP officials about the revered personality of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that had deeply hurt the sentiments of Muslims.
The premier underlined that India was committing grave violations of human rights in the Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJK).
While reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the promotion of peace in the region, he stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the IIoK dispute.
Ambassador Blome thanked the premier for receiving him and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to further strengthen and reinforce Pakistan-US ties.
