Our govt will build balanced, trust-based relationship with US: Imran
What's the story
Pakistan's PM-in-waiting Imran Khan said his government will build a more balanced and trustworthy relationship with the US, asserting that the trust deficit between the two countries has resulted in many ups and downs.
The relations between Pakistan and the US nosedived this January after President Donald Trump accused Islamabad of giving nothing to Washington but lies and providing safe haven to terrorists.
Information
US Congress also reduced Pakistan's defense aid
The US Congress also passed a bill to slash Pakistan's defense aid to $150 million, significantly below the historic level of more than $1 billion per year.
Diplomatic relations
We count trade, economic relations with US extremely important: Khan
Speaking to Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan John F Hoover, who called on him at his Banigala residence yesterday, Khan said there was a need for revitalization of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and the US.
"Our government will engage with the US to make this relationship more balanced and trustworthy. We count trade and economic relations with the US extremely important," Khan said.
Political solution
Khan says stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan's larger interest
"I am glad that people in the US have ultimately started acknowledging significance of political solution as conflict and use of force can add to the damages instead of breeding a sustainable solution to the crisis," Khan said.
He said the stability in Afghanistan was in the larger interest of Pakistan, America and the region which could be achieved through viable political engagements.
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Khan's party won 116 NA seats in the general elections
Khan has been a vocal critic of US drone attacks inside Pakistan against terrorists. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged as the single largest party in the July 25 general elections, winning 116 National Assembly seats out of the contested 270 parliamentary constituencies.