WASHINGTON – Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Washington Saturday atthe start of a visit during which he will hold talks with President DonaldTrump on cementing Pakistan-U.S. relations in a range of areas.
The July 22 talks with the U.S. president will mark an effort by the twoleaders to repair the ties and expand bilateral cooperation on trade andinvestment as well as work toward peace in South Asia at large andAfghanistan in particular.
A U.S. official said the White House invitation to Pakistan representsWashington’s willingness to repair US-Pakistan ties and rebuilding anenduring partnership if Islamabad continues its counter-terrorismcooperation.
The talks between President Trump and PM Imran Khan – their first-everface-to-face interaction – follows Pakistan’s facilitation of U.S. attemptfor a political solution to Afghanistan war.
President Trump will warmly welcome the Pakistani leader in his Oval Officefor talks which will then extend to a working luncheon to be attended byCabinet members and senior Pentagon leaders.
The Pakistani delegation includes Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and theISI Chief.
Read Top Stories
The U.S. president will personally show around historical parts of theWhite House to PM Khan in a sign of warming relations between the twocountries. According to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, this willprovide an opportunity to develop further understanding of the benefit ofbilateral relations.
“President Trump and Prime Minister Khan will discuss a range of issues,including counter-terrorism, defence, energy, and trade, with the goal ofcreating the conditions for a peaceful South Asia and an enduringpartnership between our two countries,” a White House statement said lastweek.
The prime minister will address a large gathering of Pakistani-Americanswho keenly follow his agenda of Naya Pakistan. He will also interact withtop American lawmakers and Pakistan Caucus on the Capitol Hill.
A key part of the visit will be the PM’s interaction with Americaninvestors as he will invite them to be part of Pakistan’s developmentefforts in a business-friendly environment.
