Pakistan and the Untied States have exchanged views on President Trump's South Asia strategy, Islamabad's stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups and shared interest in building economic and commercial ties. The talks were held during the weeklong visit of the US Department of State's Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Alice Wells who visited Islamabad and Karachi from March 28 to April 3.
According to a press release issued by US Embassy here, Ambassador Wells met with Minister of Interior Ahsan Iqbal, SAFRON Minister Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Baloch (retd), Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Miftah Ismail, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, National Security Advisor Nasser Janjua, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Country Representative Ruven Menikdiwela in Islamabad. Ambassador Wells also met with Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Ambassador Wells travelled to Karachi over the weekend where she met with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and business leaders. "During her visit, Ambassador Wells discussed the South Asia strategy and Pakistan's stated commitment to eliminate all terrorist groups present within its borders, as well as our shared interest in building economic and commercial ties that benefit both nations," the embassy said.
In the aftermath of Tashkent conference on Afghanistan, Ambassador Wells noted the growing international consensus on the way forward to achieving peace in Afghanistan and the meaningful role that Pakistan partnering with the United States can play in achieving a peaceful resolution in Afghanistan.
"In Karachi, Ambassador Wells highlighted our ongoing efforts to build strong economic and people-to-people ties with the people of Karachi and Sindh," added the embassy's press release.
This was Ambassador Wells' second visit to Pakistan this year, which Spokesperson Foreign Office Dr Mohammad Faisal last week said was aimed at continuing the conversation to strengthen bilateral relations and promote peace and security in the region.
"Both sides also reiterated their firm commitments to act against all groups that target Pakistan and Afghanistan," the spokesperson said after Ambassador Wells' meeting with Foreign Secretary Janjua on March 29 at the Foreign Office.