Mike Pompeo to visit Pakistan on September 5
United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo will visit Pakistan on September 5, country's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has confirmed on Saturday.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a press confrence in Islamabad where he made the announcement and said that the relations between Pakistan and the US are "vital."
News agency ANI quoted Qureshi saying, "The importance of Pak-US ties is not lost on anyone. There have been ups and downs but it is a vital relationship."
According to report, among the topics that will be discussed in the meeting will be Afghanistan as well.
He also announced that his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi would also visit Pakistan on September 8
While asserting that Islamabad was ready for a dialogue and emphasised on the need to move forward Qureshi recalled prime minister Imran Khan's speech and said, "Pakistan is not shy of the dialogue process. Prime Minister Imran (Khan) clearly said in his maiden speech that if India takes one step towards peace, Pakistan will reciprocate with two steps."He went on to say that Pakistan wants peace and stability, and the government`s priority is to ensure that rapid economic development takes place.
The press briefing came a day after Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affair denied any mention about terrorist operating from Pakistan during the Pompeo-Khan conversation on Friday.
Pakistan on Friday asked the United States to "correct" a readout issued by State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert in which she said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against all terrorists operating in Pakistan.
The US, however, said that in a follow-up statement, that it stands by its statement.
"Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the new Pakistan PM had a good call, Pakistan is an important partner. We stand by our readout," Heather Nauhert said.
US and Pakistan relations have been at a historic low this year with President Trump continuously attacking the Pakistan government over its record on terrorism.
The US Congress too has kept the pressure on Pakistan slashing its defence aid to $150 million from a high of $1 billion.