Pakistan’s Foreign Minister leaves for U.S visit

By APD writer Muhammad Sohail

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 3 (APD) -- Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday embarked on his visit to the United States in an attempt to ease tensions between the two countries that emerged as a result of US President Donald Trump’s August 21 speech in which he criticized Pakistan for being soft on terrorists, officials said.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif

Trump, in his August 21 speech had announced the launch of a revised US strategy in Afghanistan. He also accused Pakistan of providing safe havens to Afghan militants, which had irked the political parties in the country.

During his three-day visit, Asif is likely to have a meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday.

The Foreign minister will also reportedly meet US National Security Adviser Lt Gen HR McMaster.

Besides talking about bilateral relations, the two sides will also deliberate to revive the stalled Afghan Peace Process.

Asif will also address a gathering at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington on US-Pakistan relations on October 5, the institute confirmed.

The US Institute of Peace has said that Trump’s speech had not only “unsettled US-Pakistan relations” but also had “serious implications for US interests in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation, and stability in the region”.

Talking to media, Asif said the issue of strained Pak-US relations was discussed in the country’s National Security Council of the country, adding “I got the fresh mandate of talks, and hope for good results from the talks”.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)