ISLAMABAD – Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to visit United Stateson the invitation of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
He stated US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has invited him to Washington.
He was addressing a presser here in Islamabad today.
“US has thoroughly revisited its [AfPak] policy all over again and signaledrapprochement in the bilateral ties. Pak-US will move closer once again”,forecasted Qureshi while adding, “We will also review our [regional]policies”.
Qureshi dispelled news of ‘do more’ mantra being rehashed by Pompeo andstated he apprised latter ‘blame game is in no one’s interest’. He claimedthe stalemate shrouding Pak-US ties has ended today.
He went on to say there was no talk on halting Coalition Support Fund.“Civilian and military top brass is on the same page. No country hasrendered more sacrifices in WoT”, added Qureshi.
Qureshi said that working together is in the best interest of both thecountries. “We have been allies, and we have had tensions,” he said. “Butour history shows when we have worked together, it has been in the bestinterest of both countries. We did this when we worked together to decimateAl Qaeda.”
“Pakistan informed US that peace on eastern front is vital for payingattention on the western front”, stated Qureshi.
The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s desire and commitment for peacein neighboring Afghanistan at times when Taliban are launching massiveoffensive throughout war-torn country.
“US fathomed solution to Afghan quagmire is only political. I will pay myfirst visit to Afghanistan whereas Islamabad will play constructive rolefor peace in Afghanistan”, stated Qureshi.