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Pakistan and United States have reaffirmed the strong determination to strengthen broad-based longstanding bilateral relations.
This was discussed at meeting between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken in New York on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Minister said Pakistan will work with the U.S administration to improve trade relations between the two countries and create opportunities for American investors and Pakistani investors to work together.
He briefed the Secretary of State Antony J Blinken about the endeavours being made by Pakistan to stabilize its economy. In response, the Secretary of State assured US government support for Pakistan’s efforts in that direction.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that conflicts can be very traumatic for nations as is evident from the prolonged struggle against international terrorism, which had affected our region and beyond.
The Foreign Minister stressed that Pakistan remains extremely concerned over the rising Islamophobia and gross human rights violations in IIOJK as well as against the minorities which was threatening regional peace and stability.
He maintained that the immediate challenge in Afghanistan is how to avert dire humanitarian crisis and stressed it is essential to consider additional ways to facilitate banking channels to spur economic activity.
He underlined the importance to the adherence by all member States to the Charter Principles of non-use or threat of use of force, respect for sovereignty of states, and pacific settlement of disputes.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan is facing challenges in food security, water security and energy security because of a whole host of issues ranging from climate change and global developments.
Referring to Pakistan’s current Chairmanship of Group of 77, Secretary of State Antony J Blinken said that the US looks forward to strengthening its relations with that Group through dialogue and communication. The Foreign Minister welcomed the proposal and said that Pakistan would fully engage with the U.S for promoting dialogue between the G77 and the US.
The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State covered the full spectrum of Pakistan-U.S relations and discussed global and regional situation.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the ongoing bilateral engagement in the areas of trade and investment, climate, energy, health and education and underlined the need to further reinforce cooperation through dialogue and decisions at a higher level.
The Foreign Minister and Secretary Antony J Blinken noted the recent growth of the tech sector in Pakistan. Secretary Antony J Blinken said the U.S would support Pakistan to make its tech industry more productive.
The Foreign Minister and Secretary Antony J Blinken expressed their resolve to work on their shared objectives of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.
The Foreign Minister underscored the importance of inclusivity, protection of human rights, especially of women and girls, and timely humanitarian relief in Afghanistan. He further stressed the importance of effective ways to address the threat of terrorism, now and in the future.
Source: Radio Pakistan