Daily Times

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to United States Ali Jahangir Siddiqui on Monday met the US Secretary of Defence General James Mattis.

Jahangir and Mattis discussed matters related to restoration of bilateral ties between the two countries, while regional security in South Asia also came up during the course of the meeting that took place on Pakistan’s request.

The ambassador also visited Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Department of Defence, where among other things discussed were Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan and the regional security situation.

Pakistan’s Defence Attaché Brigadier Kamal Anwar Chaudhry accompanied Siddiqui on his visit to the Pentagon. Earlier this month, Siddiqui said both Pakistan and the US were aware of the issues surrounding bilateral ties. The Pakistani envoy said the two countries were working towards the restoration of their bilateral relationship.

In an interview to Bloomberg TV, Siddiqui said Pakistan was working on a second portion of a fence at its border with its war-ravaged neighbour Afghanistan. The fence is a clear sign of Pakistan’s interest in ending the regional conflict and will help Pakistan and Afghanistan equally in doing so, Siddiqui said.

Earlier, US Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert stated that the election campaign in Pakistan was smeared by restrictions put in the way of free speech.

However, she added: “The US will continue to encourage broadening of opportunities for political participation for all Pakistanis, and for the further strengthening of legitimate, democratic institutions.” Nauert also highlighted that the US would look for opportunities to work with the new government to advance goals of security, stability, and prosperity in South Asia.

Published in Daily Times, August 1^st 2018.