Foreign Office stated that Pakistan remains ready to engage with the new US administration to take these longstanding relations  forward. At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan is committed to a strong and robust relationship with the US based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.  Welcoming President Donald Trump's oath taking, the spokesperson emphasized that the US-Pakistan relationship is very important, covering multiple areas.

He said we look forward to continuing the positive trajectory of these relations.  Responding to a question, the spokesperson said we have an arrangement with the US by virtue of which it is committed to take a lot of Afghans from Pakistan to the US for resettlement by September this year. He said this arrangement is in place so far.  Voicing serious concerns over the sanctuaries enjoyed by TTP in Afghanistan, the spokesperson said Pakistan continues to impress upon the Afghan authorities to address these concerns so that the bilateral relations could achieve its full potential. 

Regarding Kashmir dispute, Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan's position on the longstanding dispute is very clear. He said the world is aware of the oppression campaign unleashed in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said Pakistan will support any effort directed towards the resolution of the dispute.  To another question, the foreign office spokesperson said Pakistan remains committed to the full implementation of Indus Water Treaty including its dispute settlement mechanism. He hoped India will also implement the treaty in good faith and in its entirety.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)