ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan had a telephonic conversation with USPresident Donald Trump on Thursday during which bilateral and regionalissues were discussed, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Officesaid.
During the phone call, Prime Minister Imran termed the release of twoWestern hostages by the Taliban in Afghanistan as a “positive development”,saying Pakistan was happy that the duo was safe and free.
“President Trump thanked the prime minister for Pakistan’s efforts infacilitating this positive outcome,” the statement said.
Prime Minister Imran reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the advancement ofthe Afghan peace and reconciliation process aimed at achieving a stableAfghanistan. Both leaders agreed to continue to work together for thepromotion of this shared objective, according to the press release.
The Taliban insurgents had released two hostages — Kevin King from theUnited States and Timothy Weeks from Australia — on Tuesday in a prisonerexchange deal with the Afghan government.
The American and Australian were exchanged with three Taliban leaders,including key militant figure Anas Haqqani.
The prime minister during the conversation also apprised President Trump ofthe situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where he said more than eightmillion people remain under siege over 100 days after New Delhi revoked theregion’s special autonomy.