Pak-US enduring partnership vital for regional peace: PM

[ahlam1399]

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday broad-based and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the US was important for peace, prosperity and development in the region.The Prime Minister was talking to US Senator Lindsey Graham who called on him here. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was also present in the meeting, PM Office’s media wing said in a press release.While emphasising the value of peace and stability in Afghanistan for Pakistan’s development, Khan said Pakistan would continue to play its facilitating role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. He urged Senator Graham to keep playing his role in the transformation of the relationship, particularly through deepening and intensifying bilateral economic cooperation.The Prime Minister apprised the US senator of the continuing Indian atrocities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Khan also drew his attention towards the Indian government’s discriminatory policies against minorities and called for continued US focus to prevent further deterioration of peace and stability in the region.Senator Graham is the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and senior member of the Armed Services, Appropriations and Budget Committees of the US Senate. It was his second visit to Pakistan during this year.Senator Graham thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s consistent support in the Afghan peace process. He reiterated his desire for a broader bilateral relationship with particular focus on economic cooperation, enhanced market access and increased investments.He appreciated Pakistan’s achievements in mainstreaming the tribal areas through development work. He also commended Pakistan on border fencing initiative.Meanwhile, the Foreign Office announced that Prime Minister Khan will be visiting Geneva to co-convene the first-ever Global Refugee Forum (GRF) commencing on Tuesday (today). The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Switzerland are co-hosting the GRF.Khan, along with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and leaders from Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Germany, have been invited to co-convene the Forum in recognition of their exemplary role for the protection and well-being of refugees, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.The Global Refugee Forum — the first major meeting on refugees of the 21st century – is being jointly hosted by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency and the Swiss government on December 17-18. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also address the Forum.The Forum is expected to galvanise political support and solidarity and broaden the base of commitments from states, international organisations, private sectors and civil society to deal with the growing number of refugee situations across the world.The Prime Minister will articulate Pakistan’s perspective, experience and contribution to the Afghan refugees. Co-convening of the GRF was recognition of Pakistan’s generosity, humanitarian leadership, and compassion of the people of Pakistan towards their Afghan brethren for the past 40 years.The Prime Minister, during his stay in Geneva, will also have bilateral interaction with his counterparts and with the UN leadership, and attend a luncheon to be hosted by the UN secretary general.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/com/cwEr/~4/h7AbrT3HepI

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