Islamabad, Sept. 5 (TNS): Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Wednesday that the visit of United States Secretary of State Mike Pomepo to Pakistan ended positively as he was extended an invitation to visit Washington.
“It was a good meeting with similar results … we met, listened, understood, talked and then decided on a next meeting,” he said while briefing the media following the high-profile visit.
“They agreed that the blame and shame game is not good it only worsens the atmosphere. Yes we have different issues and we will be thinking differently but we also share similar objectives. I felt that today’s meeting has set the stage to reset the environment for these bilateral relations.”
The foreign minister said that Pakistan avoided raising the issue of halting $300 million in Coalition Support Fund. “Our relations are not limited to only trade and barter,” he added.
“The media portrayed ‘do more’ demand but it was ‘willingness to move forward’ message we received from the US delegation.”
Qureshi said he ‘bravely’ presented Pakistan’s stance during the interaction. “From the body language you should have gauged that the meeting took place in cordial atmosphere … Pompeo has invited me to come to Washington.”
Pompeo and Prime Minister Imran Khan discussed Afghan peace process and other matters of mutual interest during when they met in Islamabad earlier today.
The secretary of state, who along with US Joint Chief of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford had arrived on an official visit to Pakistan earlier in the day, was accompanied by other senior officials during the meeting. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also attended the meeting.
Pompeo also held a delegation level meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi at the Foreign Office earlier in the day.
The two sides discussed bilateral, regional and international issues, FO Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in Tweet. “FM Qureshi underscores the need to reset bilateral ties on basis of mutual trust and respect. Safeguarding Pakistan’s national interests will remain supreme priority,” he added.
The US secretary of state later left for New Delhi for another key visit. He had arrived in Pakistan earlier on Wednesday for talks with top government functionaries against a backdrop of fraying bilateral ties.
