ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Friday, and met the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to discuss a wide range of issues including the Pakistan-US bilateral relations, Afghanistan, and the regional peace.
Talking to the visiting US deputy secretary, the foreign minister said that Pakistan desires a broad-based, long-term and sustainable relationship with the United States for the promotion of economic cooperation and regional peace.
Qureshi stressed that a regular and organized dialogue between Pakistan and the US is important to promote bilateral relations as well as to achieve shared regional objectives. He said that both the United States and Pakistan have commonality of views on Afghanistan.
The foreign minister expressed the confidence that the new Afghan setup will work for peace and stability as well as for the betterment of its people. He noted that a representative and broad-based Afghan government can be a trustworthy partner for the international community.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the international community should positively engage with Afghanistan and provide humanitarian and financial resources to it. He said that concrete steps should be taken to build a sustainable economy in Afghanistan and address the difficulties of the Afghan people.
Alluding to the serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Shah Mahmood Qureshi called for resolution of the Kashmir dispute for durable peace and stability in South Asia.
The US deputy secretary of state commended Pakistan’s help in the evacuation of American and other nationals from Afghanistan, and its consistent efforts for peace in the region.
Wendy Sherman also expressed her deep grief and sorrow over the human and material loss in Balochistan’s earthquake.
