By Muhammad Luqman
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will visit the United States capital, Washington on January 16 -17 to hold talks with his American counterpart Mike Pompeo to discuss situation in Middle East in the wake of killing of Iranian military general Qassem Sulaimani in a US drone attack.
According to a spokesperson of the Pakistan Foreign Office, Qureshi will also visit New York on January 15 to meet UN leadership including the Secretary General.
While in Washington, the Foreign Minister will meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor Robert O’ Brien and other senior Administration officials. The Foreign Minister will also have meetings on the Capitol Hill, besides engagements with the media, think tank community and the Pakistani Diaspora.
In the official talks, the Foreign Minister will focus on Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach, which has been undertaken on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the wake of the recent tensions in the Middle East/Gulf Region. The objective is to support efforts for de-escalation and resolution of differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means. The Foreign Minister’s visit to the U.S. is part of these endeavours, the FO spokesperson said.
The Foreign Minister, while reviewing full spectrum of bilateral relationship, will underscore the value Pakistan attaches to a broad-based, long-term and enduring partnership with the U.S in line with the vision of the leaders of the two countries.
The Foreign Minister will also brief his interlocutors on the prevailing situation in IOJ&K, especially the prolonged sufferings of the Kashmir is caused by India’s unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019.
The Foreign Minister will also highlight Pakistan’s role and continued resolve to support the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.
Foreign Minister is US visit is in continuation of Pakistan’s efforts to defuse tensions in the Middle East. He has recently visited Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
