ISLAMABAD x WASHINGTON ( Web News)
Former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad during his visit to Pakistan has met with other people from political and non-political circles.
According to sources, Zalmay Khalilzad also met the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). During the meeting, the rapidly changing political situation in Pakistan was discussed.
It should be noted that Zalmay Khalilzad has served as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan for a long time. He is also considered close to the US establishment.
The United States says Washington will not permit any disinformation and lies to interfere with the bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
Responding to media questions during press briefing in Washington, State Department Spokesman, Ned Price refuted former premier’s Imran Khan’s allegations saying the US does not support one political party over another in Pakistan, but instead supports the principles of rule of law.
In the wee hours of Wednesday, during a regular press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price responded to a question that Imran Khan is still blaming US efforts for his ouster from the prime minister’s office and leading an anti-American campaign.
“We are not going to let propaganda, allegations, disinformation, and lies harm bilateral relationships, including the one with Pakistan,” Ned Price said.
The State Department spokesperson also responded to the question regarding the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and US Secretary Antony Blinken.
On Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken telephoned Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to congratulate him on becoming the country’s new foreign minister.
During the phone call, the two sides discussed strengthening the mutually beneficial and broad-based relationship between Pakistan and the US.
During the latest press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson said: “Secretary Blinken did have an opportunity to speak with his new Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, last week on May 6.
“They had an opportunity to reflect on the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistani relations, to talk about how we can strengthen that cooperation going forward. It is a broad-based bilateral relationship.”
“It is a broad-based bilateral relationship. The Secretary underscored the resolute US-Pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and to combating terrorism as well. They also discussed ongoing engagement when it comes to our economic ties, trade and investment, climate, energy, health, and education,” Price further said, adding that the conversation was “wide-ranging”, as these introductory conversations oftentimes were. “I expect before long they will have an opportunity to follow up on that,” he added.
“They also discussed ongoing engagement when it comes to our economic ties, trade and investment, climate, energy, health, and education,” Price said, adding that it was a wide-ranging conversation.