While recognizing Pakistan’s close relationship with Iran, the United States Friday asked Pakistan to continue playing its role in peace efforts, Islamabad said amid escalating Iran-Israel conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Friday evening and expressed desire to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries across all areas of shared interest. Pakistan’s role in Iran peace effort
“He (Marco Rubio) has appreciated Pakistan’s resolve to uphold the ceasefire understanding with India as well as its sustained efforts for peace in region,” Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
In this context, the statement added, the US Secretary of State encouraged Pakistan, which enjoys excellent ties with Iran, to continue playing its role in the ongoing peace efforts with Iran. Pakistan’s role in Iran peace effort
Trump: Asim Munir was extremely influential in stopping Pakistan-India war
Secretary noted that the U.S. was committed to working closely with Pakistan to promote regional as well as global peace and stability.
During the warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his best wishes for President Donald Trump.
He praised the President for his bold leadership and appreciated Secretary Rubio’s proactive diplomacy that played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan and India to work out a ceasefire understanding and averting a major catastrophe between the two nuclear armed states.
The Prime Minister added that President Trump’s positive statements about Pakistan were most encouraging for a durable peace in South Asia, which could only be made possible by initiating meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India.
Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness for talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade and counter-terrorism.
According to the statement, while discussing the situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel crisis Sharif underlined the need to find a ‘peaceful resolution to this grave crisis, through dialogue and diplomacy.”
He stated that Pakistan was ready to play a constructive role in any effort for peace in the current situation, which was deeply worrying, not only for the region, but for the entire world.
In respect of President Trump’s focus on trade, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan and the U.S. needed to work together to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, energy, mining, rare earth metals, and IT.
US says Pakistan has been a ‘phenomenal’ counterterrorism partner
On security and counterterrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism from the entire country, particularly the threat from BLA, TTP and other militant groups. In this regard, Secretary Rubio appreciated Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and assured Pakistan of full cooperation by the U.S. in countering all such threats.
The Prime Minister noted, with great satisfaction, the most cordial and productive discussion between President Trump and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in Washington, earlier this week.
Both the Prime Minister and Secretary Rubio agreed that talks between their two countries must now be translated into tangible actions, across all areas.
The Prime Minister also stressed upon the need for frequent high-level engagements to build upon this positive momentum in Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations. In this regard, he reiterated his invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan and said that he too, was looking forward to meeting President Trump at his earliest convenience.
- The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan, at an early date.
