US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar calls on President Alvi, PM Shehbaz, Imran Khan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underscored that Pakistan valued its long-standing relationship with the United States and wanted to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, and equality.

Read more: PM stresses enhanced Pak-UK trade, investment ties

He highlighted that constructive engagement between the two countries could help promote peace, security and development in the region.

The prime minister was talking to the United States House of Representatives Ilhan Omar who called on him.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including Pakistan-US bilateral relations as well as regional situation were discussed.

Maintaining that the US was Pakistan’s largest trading partner, the prime minister emphasised the need to further enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially in the trade and investment fields.

He lauded the efforts of Pakistani Diaspora in reinforcing the Pakistan-US ties and added that Pakistan deeply valued their contribution to national development and growth.

The prime minister highlighted the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, enabling the region to realize its economic potential and promote social progress.

He emphasized that a peaceful and stable South Asian region can focus on its growth and development.

The prime minister emphasized that concerted efforts, at the global level, were needed to deal with the scourge of Islamophobia.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar thanked the prime minister and hoped that her visit to Pakistan would help strengthen ties between Pakistan and the US Congress.

Appreciating her courage of convictions and her political struggle, the prime minister warmly welcomed her on her first-ever visit to Pakistan.

He hoped that it would lead to deepen people-to-people ties and strengthen exchanges between the parliament of Pakistan and the US Congress.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is visiting Pakistan from 20-24 April 2022. Apart from having meetings with leadership in Islamabad, she will visit Lahore and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to have greater understanding of Pakistan’s cultural, social, political, and economic potential.

President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed the hope that the constructive engagements between Pakistan and the United States of America would promote peace and development in the region.

He was talking to the visiting US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad Wednesday.

He said that Pakistan valued its long standing relationship with the United States.

He emphasized the need for further improving bilateral relations in various fields for the mutual benefits of the two countries.

Welcoming the US Congresswoman, the president highlighted the importance of bilateral exchanges which would improve understanding between the two countries.

He apprised the visiting dignitary about the atrocities being committed by the Modi’s regime against the minorities, particularly the Muslims.

He said that India was involved in the genocide of Muslims and committed gross human rights violations against them.

President Alvi also highlighted the role played by Pakistan for promotion of peace in the region as well as its sacrifices against the war on terror.

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said that both the countries had huge potential to improve and strengthen the relations.

She appreciated the role played by Pakistan against Islamophobia, particularly towards the adoption of UN resolution in this regard.

Earlier, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Wednesday called on former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan in Bani Gala on Wednesday.

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called on Chairman PTI in Bani Gala. They discussed Islamophobia & related issues. @Ilhan expressed her admiration for @ImranKhanPTI & his position on & work against Islamophobia globally. IK appreciated her courageous & principled position on issues. pic.twitter.com/m3kPa2poYx

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 20, 2022

Senior PTI leaders, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Shireen Mazari, Zulfi Bukhari and Shahbaz Gul were also present during the meeting between Imran Khan and US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Read more: World urged to prevail upon India to release Kashmiri detainees

The meeting discussed Hindutva ideology in India and its devastating effects on Muslims. Omar lauded Imran Khan’s efforts in overcoming Islamophobia and said that Imran Khan provided valuable leadership.

The US congresswoman said that voices against Islamophobia are being raised from all over the world, a bill is being brought in the US Congress to eradicate Islamophobia, religious discrimination, especially against Muslims, needs time to end.

Ilhan Omar said that she was grateful to Imran Khan for being a strong voice against Islamophobia in the world and added that he had been wanting to meet him for some time.

Welcoming the arrival of the US lawmaker, Chairman PTI Imran Khan said that despite the difficulties, it was commendable that Ilhan Omar was aware of the fight against Islamophobia. Former prime minister Khan also appreciated her courageous and principled position on the issues.

Muslim member of US Congress Ilhan Omar also called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Hina Rabbani Khar welcomed Ilhan Omar and her delegation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State said Pakistan and the United States have long bilateral relations. She said Pakistan is determined to further strengthen bilateral relations with the United States and enhance cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest.

Hina Rabani Khar thanked US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar for raising voice in support of oppressed Kashmiris after unilateral acts of 5 August 2019 by India.

Eminent Pak-American Democratic leader Tahir Javed was also present in the meeting.