The United States administration has categorically said that they are not going to let “propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation – lies – get in the way” of any bilateral relationship, including with Pakistan, which it values.
This was stated by US State Department spokesperson Ned Price during a press briefing on Tuesday. He was responding to a query over former prime minister Imran Khan’s anti-American campaign over the latter’s purported ouster from power through a “US conspiracy”.
PM Imran is running an anti-government campaign in Pakistan, in which he is also criticising the US for toppling his government via conspiracy. The US has several times denied such accusations.
Price also answered a query pertaining to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken telephone call to his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto.
“I don’t have any bilateral meetings to preview during the – next week’s food security gathering in New York. What I can say is that Secretary Blinken did have an opportunity to speak with his new Pakistani counterpart, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, last week – May 6th, I believe it was,” he said.
The spokesperson added that both the dignitaries had an opportunity to reflect on the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistani relations, to talk about how they can strengthen that cooperation going forward. It is a “broad-based” bilateral relationship.
“The secretary underscored the resolute US-Pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and to combating terrorism as well. They also discussed ongoing engagement when it comes to our economic ties, trade and investment, climate, energy, health, and education. So it was a wide-ranging conversation, as these introductory conversations oftentimes are, and I expect before long they will have an opportunity to follow up on that,” Price said.
However, the US State Department spokesperson advised the reporter to refer to Pakistani authorities on ISI chief Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum’s schedule as the latter is in Washington.
“I would refer you to Pakistani authorities to comment on his schedule. I’m not aware of any meeting with Secretary Blinken,” Price said.
