Vows to strengthen ties with Washington
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, noting the recent momentum in high-level bilateral exchanges, stressed that structured and broad-based Pakistan-US engagement was critical to advancing both countries’ shared goals in bilateral and regional domains.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan attached importance to its longstanding ties with the United States, a PM Office statement said.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to deepen economic and trade engagement with the United States.
The Prime Minister thanked the United States for its continued support for Pakistan’s post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, including at the recently held International Conference on Resilient Pakistan in Geneva.
Ambassador Blome said the United States would continue to support Pakistan’s post-flood recovery as well as the Government’s efforts for economic development and reform.
Meanwhile, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has said, “We are undertaking discussions on different issues including agriculture, climate change, investment, energy, and other sectors and we also continue to discuss all issues of concern to both sides.”
This was stated by the spokesperson in response to the statement of the US that Pakistan can buy Russian oil despite restrictions.
US State Department’s spokesperson Ned Price at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon had stated Pakistan can also take advantage of the concessions Washington had given to other countries for buying oil from Russia. The FO spokesperson said Pakistan appreciated its close friendship with the United States and was in a process of “re-engagement”.
Asked about the claim of Pakistan national Abdul Rehman Makki that he was not provided an opportunity of defence over his listing by the United Nations, she said the decision was made by the world body under its listing procedure.
“Pakistan as a responsible member of the international community follows the decision of the UN and its institutions,” she said. If there was a backdoor diplomacy brokered by the United Arab Emirates between Pakistan and India, she dismissed any such development taking place. “At this stage, no dialogue is taking place between Pakistan and India,” she stated.
The spokesperson said Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, later this month, would lead the Pakistan delegation to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
“On January 30, she will present Pakistan’s national progress report under the Universal Periodic Review process at the Council,” she said.
