United States & Pakistan reaffirm their mutual desire to pursue a broad-based agenda

WASHINGTON, Dec 21, (SABAH): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had a warm and cordial conversation with United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Washington.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Wednesday, they comprehensively covered bilateral relations. Regional issues of interest including the situation in Afghanistan were also discussed.

Both sides expressed satisfaction on the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations and reaffirmed their mutual desire to pursue a broad-based agenda.

The Foreign Minister conveyed Pakistan’s gratitude to the US government for providing humanitarian assistance of $97 million after the floods in Pakistan. He apprised Secretary Blinken about the measures being taken by Pakistan for rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction. He briefed Secretary Blinken on the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan being held on 9 January 2023 in Geneva to support Pakistan’s efforts for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed US Administration’s continued support in facing the challenge of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Meanwhile FM Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had a productive meeting with USAID Administrator Samantha Power. Bilawal Bhutto thanked for her leadership in galvanizing support for flood relief. In a statement issued on twitter on Wednesday, FM Bilawal appreciated US Government’s humanitarian assistance of $97 million and also discussed long-term cooperation for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Meanwhile Samantha Power in a statement issued on twitter on Wednesday said that “Today Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari & I discussed how communities impacted by Pakistan’s recent floods are faring, the impacts of U.S. assistance in the immediate aftermath, & our work together to build resilience to prepare for future crises”.