Marked improvement witnessed in Pak-US ties

In Islamabad: There has been a noticeable improvement in bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States since August 2018, and specifically in Afghanistan, in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan's consistent defense and stance that there is no military solution to the Afghan problem.


"Pakistan has been extending support and facilitation, in good faith, to seek a political solution to the protracted Afghan conflict. The relevant Afghan stakeholders are now moving towards the start of the intra-Afghan dialogue, which we hope will lead to a comprehensive and inclusive political agreement, ”said the spokesman at the weekly virtual media conference.

Pakistan says there has been positive progress in the ongoing peace process, including the landmark Agreement between the United States and the Taliban. In this regard, the United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, was informed on Wednesday that Pakistan remains committed to continuing to work with regional and international partners to support efforts for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. "Pakistan remains ready to undertake efforts to facilitate a closer Pakistan-Afghanistan economic partnership and regional connectivity projects," he added.

Eyebrows had been raised at the inclusion of Adam Boehler, CEO of the US International Finance Corporation for Development who accompanied Khalilzad. But the spokesperson for various consultations said this was part of the ongoing economic commitment between Pakistan and the United States, in line with the leadership's decision last July to intensify trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

"You will recall that in February of this year, the United States Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, also visited Pakistan," the spokesman said without giving details of the proposals that the two sides discussed.

Media reports suggested that the United States has made no secret of its disdain for CPEC and that Boehler's visit could be an attempt to pull Pakistan out of the Corridor. Boehler met with the Pakistani economic team under the leadership of the Trade Adviser to discuss specific areas of cooperation for US investment. "There have also been several virtual meetings between the two sides on matters related to the economy, trade, and finance," said the spokesman.

Pakistan has been constantly sensitizing the international community to threatening statements by Indian leaders to use terrorism as a tool to destabilize Pakistan. Pakistan has already shared incriminating evidence with the international community regarding the involvement of the Indian Intelligence Agency RAW in terrorist activities in Pakistan. The international community must have immediate knowledge of India's use of state terrorism to destabilize neighboring countries.

While reports and photos of a Kashmiri grandfather shot dead by Indian security forces and his three-year-old grandson assaulted the media, the spokesman recalled that more than 110 innocent Kashmiris have been martyred by the security forces. Indian occupation during the last 6 months in false "encounters" and the so-called "cordon and search" operations. “The BJP leadership must realize that it is directly responsible for these politically motivated arbitrary killings of Kashmir by the Indian security forces. International law prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life and extrajudicial killings, "he said.

This norm, added the spokesperson, is codified in all the most important human rights treaties and conventions. No illegal law, such as the Special Powers of the Armed Forces Act (AFSPA), can sanctify or provide legal coverage for a crime recognized as such by international law. "The international community must be made aware immediately of persistent reports of arbitrary and extrajudicial killings at IOJ & K," he said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a video conference with Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod of Denmark on Thursday. The COVID-19 pandemic, the regional situation and other matters of mutual interest were discussed, his office said in a statement. He informed the Danish Foreign Minister about the measures that the Pakistani government is taking to contain the pathogen while safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

“Foreign Minister Qureshi further praised Denmark's skillful handling of the crisis, which made it the leader in Europe to open up after post-pandemic blockades. The Foreign Minister expressed his hope that Pakistani citizens are not subject to any restrictions or discrimination when Denmark relaxes travel restrictions, ”the statement said.

The Foreign Minister expressed concern over the temporary suspension of PIA flights to Denmark as a follow-up to EASA's decision. He stressed that the government was taking all necessary measures to guarantee the highest level of flight safety in PIA operations. PIA maintained its commitment to maintaining the highest standards and quality in its operations. Abroad