A group of US senators have reaffirmed America's commitment to a 'stable and broad-based' bilateral relationship and pledged to play their part in furthering diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan during separate meetings with Prime Minister Imran Khan and COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa.
The four-member US Senate delegation – including senators Angus King, Richard Burr, John Cornyn and Benjamin Sasse – on Saturday stressed the need for supporting the Afghan people by taking “all possible measures” to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse.
All four senators are members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, while Senator King is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Warmly welcoming the senators, the prime minister underlined that Pakistan valued its long-standing relationship with the US and was committed to expanding it in all spheres, particularly in the economic dimension.
He hoped that visits of the Congressional delegations would help strengthen mutual understanding and forge closer people-to-people contacts.
PM Imran stressed the need for collective efforts to promote the “shared objectives” of peace and economic development in Afghanistan.
The prime minister reiterated that a “deeper and stronger partnership” between the two countries was mutually beneficial and critical for regional peace. In this respect, the premier highlighted the importance of closer cooperation to address the security threats in the region, including terrorism.
Apprising the delegation about the egregious human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), he said: “The extremist and exclusionist policies of the RSS-inspired BJP are posing a threat to regional peace and security.”
He added: “The US must play its role in the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.”
The prime minister underscored that, for its part, Pakistan remained ready to pursue measures that would reinforce peace in the region, if the enabling environment was created by India.
Recalling the collective struggles of Pakistan and the US over the decades in promoting peace and security globally, the senators “deeply appreciated” Pakistan’s recent contribution in the evacuation of the American nationals and others from Afghanistan post-15th of August.
They reaffirmed their commitment to a stable and broad-based Pakistan-US bilateral relationship. They emphasised that, given the size of Pakistan’s population as well as its geo-strategic location, the US and Pakistan should make determined efforts to promote trade, investment and economic cooperation.
According to a statement issued by the director general Inter-Services Public Relations, the delegation headed by Senator Angus King also called on COAS Gen Qamar.
“Pakistan desires to maintain productive bilateral engagement with all the regional players and wished for peaceful, diversified, sustained relations,” the COAS said.
He also reiterated the urgency for global convergence on Afghanistan to avoid looming humanitarian crises and the need for coordinated efforts for the economic uplift of the Afghan people.
The army chief thanked the senators for their efforts in forging a mutual understanding of geopolitical and security situations in view of challenges ahead.
US Charge d’Affaires to Pakistan Angela Aggeler accompanied the delegation.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the current security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral cooperation in various fields were discussed.
The visiting dignitaries appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, special efforts for border management, role in regional stability and pledged to play their part in furthering diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.
