US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visits Pakistan

Lahore : The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accompanied by a high-level delegation visited Islamabad on 24 October 2017. This was Mr. Tillerson’s first visit to Islamabad after assuming the office of the US Secretary of State.

The visit was a follow-up to the meeting between the Prime Minister and the US Vice President Mike Pence in New York in September 2017 in which the two sides agreed to resume full scale engagements between the two Governments. Pakistan’s delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Interior, Minister of Defence, COAS, DG ISI, Secretary to Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.

The Prime Minister underlined the importance of high level engagements between the two countries and expressed satisfaction on the progress made during these interactions in recent months.

Prime Minister informed the visiting delegation of the significant strides Pakistan had made in improving the overall security and economic environment of the country resulting in significantly improved business and investment opportunities available to foreign businesses and investors.

Talks covered in detail all aspects of bilateral relations, the regional situation, as well as the evolving international environment. Pakistan delegation outlined the government’s policy of a peaceful neighbourhood and steps taken to promote cooperation and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

The US delegation was informed that progress in promoting peace and stability in the region was linked to the resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. The ongoing grave violations of human rights by Indian occupation forces in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir were highlighted.

The delegation was apprised of the tremendous sacrifices made by the Pakistan nation including security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies in the war against terror. The fact that Pakistani security forces have successfully carried out the largest counterterrorism operation was detailed along with Pakistan’s sustained commitment and interest in supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan as well as the broader region.

The delegation was also informed of the ongoing efforts on securing the Pak-Afghan border out of national resources.

The two sides agreed to build upon the understandings reached in the dialogue process and to continue the pace and scope of high level engagements in future.