Pakistan Minister, US Congressmen Discuss Afghanistan and Regional Peace

Pakistan Minister, US Congressmen Discuss Afghanistan and Regional Peace

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Minister for Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi, discussed the current situation in Afghanistan as well as peace in the South Asia region in a meeting with United States (US) Congressmen Joe Wilson and Rob Bresnahan in Washington, an official from the Pakistani government’s information department, said on Thursday.

The incident occurred amid the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over an increase in attacks by militants that Islamabad claims are the result of militants operating from Afghanistan. Afghanistan is in denial of the claim.

The majority of these incidents have been declared by the Pakistani Taliban, a separate group but a close partner with the Afghan Taliban rulers, which Pakistan claims has become more potent following their US departure from Afghanistan in August. 2021.

Currently, in the US, Naqvi holds separate meetings with the Republican representatives in Washington, according to Islamabad’s Press Information Department (PID).

“They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, promotion of Pakistan-US relations, and establishment of lasting peace in the region, particularly the situation in Afghanistan,” the PID stated in an announcement.

During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of expanding cultural and trade exchanges to enhance relations between the United States and Pakistan.

Relationships between the US and Pakistan have also experienced significant changes and reversals recently. They worked together in their time during the Cold War and in the battle against Al-Qaeda following 9/11.

However, relations with Washington and Islamabad declined after the former accused the latter of collaborating with Islamabad in supporting the Taliban in their 2021 attempt to take over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Islamabad rejected these accusations denied.

Tensions escalated in 2022 when the former Pakistan Premier Imran Khan accused his Biden administration of orchestrating the removal by a vote in the parliamentary chamber, an accusation that the US denied. There was also a dispute recently about Pakistan’s missile programme.

During the meeting, Naqvi referred to the US as Pakistan’s “strategic partner” and expressed his hope that Trump’s second term will add new perspectives to relations between Pakistan and the United States.

“Both sides explored ways to enhance cooperation in various fields,” the PID added.