ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua on Thursday said that Pakistan supports all initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable peace and security in the region.
Talking to a US delegation led by Ambassador Alice G Wells, acting assistant secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Janjua emphasised that a strong partnership with the United States was critical in achieving these shared objectives.
The visiting delegation was informed about the overall gains that Pakistan has been able to make in the last few years in line with the priorities set by the government.
These measures include overcoming energy shortfalls; stabilising and setting the economy on the path of sustained high growth; and enabling a secure environment through vigorous counter-terrorism operations.
In this regard, the foreign secretary appreciated the United States support as a longstanding development ally and Pakistan’s largest trade partner.
Pakistan’s perspectives on challenges confronting the region, including the security situation in Afghanistan, were shared. Tehmina Janjua hoped that the ongoing US review would result in a comprehensive political strategy to promote reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan and the region.
The foreign secretary drew attention of the US delegation to the situation in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and the brutal repression of a just and peaceful struggle, and its implications “for peace and security in the region”. Alice G Wells thanked the foreign secretary and acknowledged Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
The ambassador also acknowledged the importance of a strong partnership between the United States and Pakistan and gave US’s perspective on how to move forward this relationship in the coming years. “The objective of bilateral cooperation was to seek a stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan.”
It may be mentioned here that Ambassador Alice Wells has recently assumed charge as Acting Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs and Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The US State Department said that Alice Wells was paying introductory visit to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan to “discuss US relations with the region” and to meet US officials to “learn more about their efforts to advance US prosperity and security across the region.”
Published in Daily Times, August 4th 2017.
