ISLAMABAD – The trade ties between Pakistan and the United States are setto witness a new record this year as U.S. President Donald Trump and PrimeMinister Imran Khan reaffirmed commitment for a stronger relationship, theWhite House said on Friday.
“The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the UnitedStates-Pakistan trade relationship, which is on track to set a new recordthis year, as well as investment and people-to-people ties between ourcountries,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in astatement following the telephonic conversation between the two leadersthat took place Thursday evening.
The relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. entered into a fresh phaseof rejuvenation after Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed his office lastyear. Later, the meeting between Imran Khan and President Trump inWashington this July gave a positive dimension to the otherwiseroller-coaster bilateral ties as the discussion featured Trump’s mediationoffer on Kashmir.
In a joint press conference at White House the same day, Prime MinisterImran Khan informed President Trump of a “good news” in the offing, whichwas interpreted by media as related to the release of an American and anAustralian professors abducted by Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan two and ahalf years ago.
After the release of two professors this week, President Trump called tothank Imran Khan in view of facilitation extended by Pakistan.
“President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Imran Khan ofPakistan. He thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s support for therecovery of American hostage Kevin King and Australian hostage TimothyWeeks,” the PM Office statement said after the phone call.
The PM Office said: “President Trump hopes this positive development willcontribute to furthering the peace process in Afghanistan,” adding that healso thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating thispositive outcome.
Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed that the release of Western hostages inAfghanistan was a “positive development and Pakistan was happy that theywere safe and free.”
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The Prime Minister re-affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the advancement ofAfghan peace and reconciliation process for a peaceful and stableAfghanistan. Both leaders agreed to continue to work together for thepromotion of this shared objective.
The Prime Minister apprised President Trump of the current situation inIndian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring that over eight millionpeople remained under siege for over 100 days.
Appreciating President Trump’s continued engagement as well as mediationoffer, Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that the President must continuehis efforts for facilitation of a peaceful solution of the Jammu andKashmir dispute.
Recalling their conversations in Washington and New York, the two leadersagreed to deepen bilateral collaboration, including at relevantmultilateral fora.
The two leaders further agreed to remain in close contact, according to PMOffice.
