Deputy PM, US Envoy review developments in bilateral ties

Islamabad: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Islamabad today.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the latest developments in Pak-US bilateral relations and discussed ways to move the relationship forward.

Earlier, the National Assembly passed a resolution regretting the resolution passed by the US House of Representatives, stating that Pakistan, as an independent and sovereign country, would not accept any interference in its internal affairs.

The resolution, moved by Shaista Pervaiz Malik, further asserted that the US resolution reflects an incomplete and erroneous understanding of Pakistan's political and electoral processes.

It highlighted that the US resolution fails to acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of voting rights by millions of Pakistanis in the recently held General Election.

The National Assembly reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to safeguarding and upholding democratic principles and norms as enshrined in the Constitution, in line with the aspirations of the people and the vision of the country's founding fathers.

The resolution also brought attention to more pressing issues for the US Congress, such as ongoing acts of genocide in Gaza, gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and state-sanctioned atrocities against minorities, especially Muslims, in India.

The House called upon the US and the international community to take immediate steps to alleviate the suffering of innocent people in Gaza and IIOJK.

It expressed hope that in the future, the US Congress will play a more constructive role in strengthening Pakistan-US bilateral relations by focusing on avenues of collaboration for the mutual benefit of both countries.

The resolution called upon the government of Pakistan to enhance bilateral cooperation with the United States by improving channels of communication to dispel such misperceptions and work towards harmonious relationships for the progress and prosperity of people of both countries.