Member of the US House of Representatives Ilhan Omar called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The premier warmly welcomed her on her first-ever visit to Pakistan and appreciated her courage of convictions and her political struggle.

The prime minister further hoped that it would lead to deepening people-to-people ties and strengthen exchanges between the Parliament of Pakistan and the US Congress.

PM Shehbaz underscored that Pakistan values its long-standing relationship with the United States and wants to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, and equality.

Highlighting the constructive engagement between the two countries, the premier said that it could help promote peace, security and development in the region.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including Pakistan-US bilateral relations as well as regional situation were discussed.

Maintaining that the US is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, the premier emphasized the need to further enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially in the trade and investment fields.

The prime minister lauded the efforts of Pakistani Diaspora in reinforcing the Pakistan-US ties and added that Pakistan deeply values their contribution to national development and growth.

Shehbaz 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 realize its economic potential and promote social progress. He emphasized that a peaceful and stable South Asian region can focus on its growth and development.

The Prime Minister called for concerted efforts, at the global level 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 Congress.

Ilhan Omar arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday on a four-day visit to the country.

Apart from having meetings with leadership in Islamabad, she will visit Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to have a greater understanding of Pakistan’s cultural, social, political, and economic potential.