Asif Meets U.S. Secretary Of State Rex Tillerson
Fakhir Rizvi Published October 05, 2017 | 01:55 AM
Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department for a wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest
ISLAMABAD, Oct 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 05th Oct, 2017 ) : Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif met U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department for a wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
According to Pakistan embassy in Washington DC, the Foreign Minister, visiting Washington at Secretary Tillerson's invitation, said Pakistan and the United States shared a common desire for peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region at large.
He emphasized that Pakistan sought a broad based relationship with United States building on a seven decade long history of successful cooperation. The foreign minister pointed out that Pakistan was winning its war against terrorism.
In contrast to other countries, the incidence of terrorism in Pakistan had seen a marked decline, with a salutary impact on economic and commercial activity. This was made possible because Pakistan had pursued a zero-tolerance and indiscriminate approach in its campaign against all terrorist and militant groups.
He informed the secretary of state with regard to the strong public reaction in Pakistan to the pronouncement of US Administration's South Asia Policy, based on inadequate recognition of Pakistan's sterling contribution in the fight against terrorism.
He added that in addition to huge human and material cost incurred by Pakistan, our cultural ethos as a moderate state had suffered due to protracted instability in Afghanistan. Secretary Tillerson acknowledged and appreciated the sacrifices rendered by the people and armed forces of Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism.
He agreed that cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in Afghanistan was crucial to achieving durable peace and stability in the region. He remarked that Pakistan's interests and concerns would be accommodated since its role was critical to President Trump's South Asia strategy.
He added that future stability of Pakistan was an important element of the strategy. The foreign minister reiterated Pakistan's position on the need for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned political approach to achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He conveyed Pakistan's concerns with regard to ungoverned spaces within Afghanistan, from which attacks against Pakistan continued to be planned and carried out. The foreign minister urged the United States to take note of the gross human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian security forces in Occupied Kashmir.
He said peace in South Asia would remain out of reach until the resolution of all longstanding disputes, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. Inviting Secretary Tillerson to visit Islamabad to continue their discussions, the foreign minister stressed that a broad-based and structured framework for dialogue would best serve the two countries' mutual interests.
Secretary Tillerson accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan at an early date. Both sides agreed to remain constructively engaged with a view to achieving the shared objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Electric bikes for students: Over 72applications received
PSL Commissioner Naila Bhatti steps down
5th Women T-20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Pakistan confirm South Africa tour details
Ranbir Kapoor showers praise on beauty of Mahira Khan
ICube Qamar: Pakistan successfully launches first lunar mission
Deputy PM Dar calls for OIC's joint action to confront rising Islamophobia
Bus Plunge in Chilas Claims 20 Lives
Pakistan to launch first lunar orbit mission 'ICUBE-Qamar' today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 3 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 03 May 2024
Dar for joint action to counter Islamophobia in context of Israeli aggression ag ..
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Bilawal Bhutto calls on Prime Minister
9 minutes ago -
President, PM, DPM felicitate nation, scientists as Pakistan launches first space mission ICUBE-Q
9 minutes ago -
15 dead , 1406 injured in 1280 road accidents in Punjab
19 minutes ago -
WASA cuts off water supply, sewerage connection of 18 colonies
48 minutes ago -
3 shopkeepers booked over profiteering
48 minutes ago -
Abdul Hameed posted DG Agriculture (Extension) Punjab
48 minutes ago
-
Refund claims must be made part of upcoming budget: FCCI
48 minutes ago -
Hajj flight operations: Detailed schedule, departure statistics unveiled
48 minutes ago -
PM optimistic for a polio-free Pakistan very soon
48 minutes ago -
Korean industrialists' delegation visits FCCI
48 minutes ago -
Pakistan's historic lunar mission launched onboard China's Lunar probe
49 minutes ago -
Bishop thanks 'Church in Need' for rehabilitation of displaced families
49 minutes ago