By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, in his first interaction with the new full-time US envoy, said Pakistan wished mutually respected ties with Washington, which could be further bolstered through investment, trade, and development finance, a statement said.
Ambassador Donald Blome’s joining the US diplomatic operations in Pakistan as a full-time envoy is significant as, according to observers, it could mean Washington’s deeper engagement with Islamabad In the days to come. In other words an endorsement for the incumbent government of Pakistan.
This could also be related to China, whose penetration in Pakistan in the shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, did go down well with the US, commentators said.
Ambassador Blome’s arrival also coincides with the country’s struggle to shore up its economy that is in dire straits and may be bordering on default with the IMF showing no leniency in its scrutiny of this government’s ability to plug the fiscal leaks, which the fund says have political roots.
As the first full-time envoy since 2018, Blome fills a void that was created by former US president Donald Trump for reasons best known to him only. Trump did not appoint an ambassador to Islamabad, though he had a good rapport with the former prime minister Imran Khan, who was ousted by the opposition led by the incumbent premier. Following his removal from the PM’s office, Khan blamed the US for allegedly machinating the change of government to get rid of him for his ambitions of pursuing an independent foreign policy. Tensions worsened further with the controversy over the diplomatic cable, which Khan wielded in front of the nation during a televised address as proof of the American conspiracy against his government.
Blome, who was sworn in as the US Ambassador to Pakistan on April 11, 2022, and has a lot on his plate.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz underscored Pakistan’s desire to further develop bilateral relationships on the basis of mutual respect, trust, and interest.
He also stressed that various dialogues established between Pakistan and the US had been playing a critical role in strengthening bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, IT, climate change, health, and energy.
He emphasised that US companies needed to be encouraged by the Development Finance Corporation of the US to invest in Pakistan’s large market keeping in view the country’s economic and demographic potential.
The PM also congratulated the ambassador on his presentation of credentials to the president and hoped that the envoy would devote his efforts to deepening and enhancing bilateral ties between the US and Pakistan.
“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and the United States,” the statement added.
He hoped that both countries would celebrate the historic occasion “in a befitting manner, which would further deepen bilateral and people-to-people ties”. He also stressed the need to have more exchanges at a high-level between the two countries.
Ambassador Blome thanked Pakistan for its prompt and effective assistance in facilitating the evacuation [of people] from Afghanistan.
The PM emphasised that closer cooperation between the two countries would promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and help avert a humanitarian crisis in that country, which was aggravated by the recent earthquake.
While highlighting the rising wave of Islamophobia in India, PM Shehbaz condemned the sacrilegious remarks by two BJP officials about the Holy Prophet (PBUH), leading to outrage among Muslims.
He pointed out that India was committing grave violations of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
While reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to the promotion of peace in the region, he stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
PM Shehbaz urged the international community to discharge its moral obligations, while also calling upon India to adhere to the UN resolutions.
The prime minister also conveyed his good wishes to the people and government of the United States on their 246th Independence Day.
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