USIP, IPRI representatives discuss Pakistan, US relations

ISLAMABAD: A three-member delegation of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), one of the premier US think tanks, visited the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) for a roundtable session on Afghanistan situation and Pak-US relations, a statement said.

The US delegation was headed by Asia Programmes vice president Dr Andrew Wilder, South Asia Programme director Tamanna Salikuddin and USIP Pakistan country representative Dr Adnan Rafiq.

Former commander Southern Command Lt Gen Amir Riaz (Retd), Nasim Zehra, Dr Talat Farooq and Dr Hussain Nadim attended the roundtable session.

IPRI acting president Brig Raashid Wali Janjua (Retd) opened the discussion, highlighting the need for a sustainable bilateral relationship between the US and Pakistan, besides flagging concerns about worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The US delegation concurred on the desirability of a sustainable economic and security cooperation based relationship between the two countries.

There was a consensus among the participants of the need for peace and security in the region giving due consideration to each country’s security and economic interests.