President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday hoped that constructive engagements between Pakistan and the United States would promote peace and development in the region.
Talking to visiting US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who called on him at the Presidency, Alvi said Pakistan valued its longstanding relationship with the US.
He stressed the need for further improving bilateral relations in various fields for the mutual benefits of the two countries.
Welcoming the US congresswoman, the president highlighted the importance of bilateral exchanges, which would improve understanding between the two countries.
He informed the visiting dignitary about the atrocities being committed by the Modi regime against minorities, particularly Muslims, in India as well as the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He said that India was involved in genocide of Muslims and committed gross human rights violations against them.
Alvi also highlighted the role played by Pakistan for promotion of peace in the region as well as its sacrifices in the war on terror.
He underlined that IT was the most important sector for investment and the US businessmen could invest in this sector.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also stressed the need for improving and strengthening their relations.
She appreciated the role played by Pakistan against Islamophobia, particularly towards the adoption of UN resolution in this regard.
Separately, Ilhan Omar also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed matters of mutual interest, including Pakistan-US bilateral relations and regional situation.
Speaking on the occasion, the premier underscored that Pakistan valued its longstanding relationship with the United States and wanted to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, and equality.
He highlighted that constructive engagement between the two countries could help promote peace, security and development in the region.
Maintaining that the US was Pakistan’s largest trading partner, the PM laid emphasis on enhancing cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of trade and investment.
He lauded the efforts of Pakistani diaspora in reinforcing the Pakistan-US ties and added that Pakistan deeply valued their contribution to national development and growth.
The premier also highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, enabling the region to realise its economic potential and promote social progress.
He emphasised that a peaceful and stable South Asian region could focus on its growth and development. He said that concerted efforts at the global level were needed to deal with the scourge of Islamophobia.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar thanked the prime minister and hoped that her visit to Pakistan would help strengthen ties between Pakistan and the US.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar will be in Pakistan until April 24.
Apart from having meetings with leadership in Islamabad, she will visit Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to have greater understanding of Pakistan’s cultural, social, political, and economic potential.
Meanwhile, the congresswoman also called on former prime minister Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence.
According to a tweet by former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, the two discussed Islamophobia and other issues during the meeting. The US lawmaker “expressed her admiration for Imran Khan and his position on and work against Islamophobia globally,” Mazari said. The former premier also appreciated her courageous principled stance on the issue.
The congresswoman also met National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Parliament House. Raja Ashraf, during the meeting, stressed that relations between Pakistan and the US were vital for regional progress and development.
“Enhancing parliament-to-parliament contacts would strengthen these relations between the countries,” stated a press release from the NA Secretariat, quoting Raja Ashraf.
“Both countries are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and he expressed his desire to strengthen these ties for promoting mutual interests.”
While mentioning the Women Parliamentary Caucus and Young Parliamentary Forum in parliament of Pakistan, Raja Ashraf said these were supporting parliament in pro-women legislative functions proactively.
Furthermore, the NA speaker also highlighted blatant human rights violations in IIOJK.
“The world community needs to take cognisant of this severe issue as the Indian government is violating all basic norms of humanity in IIOJK,” he said, adding that Pakistan was committed to eliminating terrorism from its soil and it “always desires for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan as its neighbour”.
