Pakistan wants strong relationship with US, says FM Qureshi

NEW YORK (Web Desk) – Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan wants a strong relationship with the US beyond counter terrorism and Afghanistan after withdrawal of troops from Kabul.

Addressing the session of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, he said that both countries have the ingredient to build a more substantive and broad based relationship between the two countries.

He said that Pakistan wants to leverage its connectivity infrastructure including China Pakistan Economic Corridor to enhance regional trade and economic integration. The United States will be an important partner in this regard.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that Pakistan's climate-friendly energy policy offers tremendous opportunities for US companies specialized in clean and renewable energy.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan has shifted its focus from geo-politics to geo-economics and can work with the United States through the development Finance cooperation to general economic activity on Pakistan and Afghanistan border which will help the war-hit-country Afghanistan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that an economically strong Pakistan can play a vital role for prosperity in the region that has suffered through 40 years of war in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan's continued support for establishment of a broad-based and inclusive government in Kabul.

Discussing the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the two leaders agreed to work together for a peaceful and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

Expressing deep concern over growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi urged international community to take effective steps to protect Afghans and ensure providing assistance to them.