ISLAMABAD – US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has said the United Statesshould replace its transactional relationship with Pakistan into astrategic partnership for the common good of the two countries.

He was addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday after talks withPrime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Describing his meetings with Pakistani leadership very impressive, the USsenator said with Prime Minister Imran Khan in power, we have a uniqueopportunity to transform the relationship into the one that is beneficialfor both the countries. . He said the FTA with Pakistan and integrating theeconomies will be mutually beneficially. He pointed out that Pakistan has alarge young population and improvement in trade relations will see a greatdemand of our products in the country.

Lindsey Graham said he is very optimistic after his meetings with thePakistani leadership and he will also urge the US President Donald Trump totalk to Prime Minister Imran Khan to take forward the relationship and theAfghan reconciliation process.

The US Senator was highly appreciable of Imran Khan describing him as theagent of change. He said Imran Khan was criticized over decades fortalking about reconciliation in Afghanistan. He said Imran Khan was rightas war there will only end through reconciliation. He said it is not inanybody’s interest that the Taliban reclaim Afghanistan by force. It istime for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He said Donald Trumpwill be more enthusiastic about the region if he meets personality likeImran Khan.

Graham Lindsey also appreciated Pakistan’s military operations in thetribal areas and sacrifices it rendered in the war on terrorism. He said alot has changed in the tribal areas with lot of money being spent for theirdevelopment.

The US Senator said Pakistan has a robust plan to secure its border withAfghanistan and we wish Afghanistan has the same plan. He said he willapprise the US administration and the lawmakers about the positive changeshe has seen in Pakistan. He said a stable Pakistan is in our own interest.

When asked about prospects of Afghan reconciliation process, the USSenator said it will take a while but said that he sees an opportunity thatleads to reconciliation.

When asked about US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US Senatorsaid the US’s investment post withdrawal will be more important. Headmitted that Afghanistan and Pakistan are seen as a burden in the US butstressed there is need to see them as partners