ISLAMABAD, August 28: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said Pakistan desires to improve relations with the United States.
“Pakistan desires to improve its bilateral relations with the US,” Qureshi said while addressing the Senate. “Weightage will be given to the opinion of people and its elected representatives while taking forward relations with Washington,” he added. Responding to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani’s request for a reply on the telephonic conservation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, Qureshi reiterated, “US State Department readout regarding the phone call was contrary to facts.”
“The conversation between PM Imran and Pompeo was cordial and constructive in nature,” the foreign minister said. The press release issued by Pakistan on the conversation is based on facts, the foreign minister upheld.
Qureshi also shared that Pompeo is expected to visit Pakistan on September 5. He further pointed out that national security and foreign policies are interlinked and we should “demonstrate unison” on them.
“Political differences should be kept aside on national security and foreign policy matters,” he urged. Given the challenges faced by the country, unity will strengthen our voice, he said.
Further, the foreign minister assured that guidance will be taken from the Parliament in the formulation of foreign policy. Taking the floor, Finance Minister Asad Umar said Pakistan has not yet decided whether to take a bailout package from International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Consultations on the current economic situation are under way and a final decision will be taken after taking the Parliament on board, Umar said. “Even if Pakistan goes to the IMF programme, this won’t be the first time that Pakistan has gone to the IMF programme. We have gone to the programme 12 times previously,” he added.
The finance minister informed the Senate that previously there was no question on which country’s banks had given loans to Pakistan. Regarding the National Finance Commission Award, Umar said it is a constitutional obligation and on the first day after assuming office he directed the finance secretary to initiate the process for the new NFC Award. – PR
