Pakistan seeks cordial ties with US to revive economy: SAPM Fatemi

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi had a meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Washington D.C and reaffirmed building cordial relations with the United States.

According to a statement by Pakistan’s Embassy, they discussed ways to advance the longstanding US-Pakistan relations as the two countries celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In a tweet, the SAPM said the meeting, which took place at the State Department, was “productive”. Fatemi said he said he raised issues of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) and the minorities in India.

Tariq Fatemi reaffirmed that Pakistan seeks “close and cordial” relations with the United States on the basis of equality, mutual cooperation and mutual benefit.

He said that Pakistan was an important player in promoting regional peace, security and prosperity, and taking the bilateral relationship forward in a substantive manner would serve the interests of both countries.

Fatemi said Pakistan viewed the US as an important partner in its efforts to revive Pakistan’s economy. In this context, he said their key priority was enhanced bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, textile and IT sectors

While defence cooperation would continue to be an important pillar in the relationship, new areas like climate change provided additional avenues of bilateral cooperation, he added

Deputy Secretary Sherman said that the US would continue to work with Pakistan on a broad-based agenda to strengthen bilateral relations.

Fatemi said that the government of Pakistan would continue to work with the international community including the US to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse in Afghanistan.

The State Department also issued a statement about the meeting between Deputy Secretary Sherman and SAPM Fatemi.

It said they discussed coordination on Afghanistan, regional stability, and the devastating effects of (Russian President) Putin’s invasion of Ukraine on food security in Pakistan and worldwide.

It noted the meeting was a part of high-level contacts taking place between the two countries since Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assumed office.

The Deputy Secretary noted the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Pakistan and reaffirmed shared goals for enhancing the US-Pakistan relationship by advancing economic and commercial ties and health cooperation.

In April, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Tariq Fatemi as Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs. A notification over the appointment was subsequently withdrawn the next day after reservation by the PPP.

Tariq Fatemi is a career diplomat who has served as Pakistan Ambassador to the United States and to the European Union. However, he remains a controversial figure after he was dismissed by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif after raising serious accusation against state institutions.

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