ISLAMABAD: In a press conference held here on Friday, Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi claimed that the readout issued by the US State Department, regarding a call between Pakistani PM Imran Khan and President Donald Trump’s foreign affairs adviser Mike Pompeo, was “against the reality.”
The minister refused the US’ account of the Khan-Pompeo call and denied any discussion on militants that the US alleges operating in Pakistan.
Qureshi noted that “the impression, which was given where they’re saying that they mentioned the terrorists’ presence in Pakistan, is against the reality.” “I am fully confident of what I am saying,” he added.
The minister further stated that he had directed the foreign secretary to issue an immediate rebuttal over the statements issued by Washington.
“As Pompeo had said that he wanted a constructive and productive relationship (between the two countries),” Qureshi added.
The Foreign Minister further said, “I am looking forward to his visit and engage with him for peace and stability (within the region).”
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Pompeo’s meeting with PM Khan “will be very significant.” Moreover, FM added that Pakistan doesn’t share the same cordial relations with the US as we had before in the past.
Repeating that Islamabad will have to make Washington see its genuine reservations over certain policy matters, he stated, “The US authorities have to understand Pakistan’s view.”
“We have longstanding bilateral ties with the US which has had its ups and downs. This is an important bilateral relationship. In order to bring relations with the US to a past level, there is a need to understand the situation and needs in Afghanistan,” the minister asserted.
Qureshi also highlighted the country’s foreign policy objectives and guidelines in a world that has changed significantly since the last time he held this post.
“Realignments have taken place and we need to understand that Pakistan is no longer the darling of the west which it used to be,” he noted.
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On the telephonic conversation, The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo wished Imran Khan and his government all the best and expressed his country’s willingness to work with him for fruitful mutual relations.
According to the statement issued by the US State Department, Pompeo also raised the importance of Pakistan taking significant action against all terrorists and Islamabad’s essential role in encouraging the Afghan peace process.
The bone of contention was the issue of terrorism as a statement issued by the US State Department after the telephonic exchange held that Pompeo stressed on Khan the importance of decisive action against terrorist outfits operating from inside Pakistan. However, the US had insisted on sticking out the statement it issued.
According to reports, Mike Pompeo will be visiting Pakistan on September 5 and be meeting the PM.