US Secretary of Sates Mike Pompeo on Thursday spoke with Chief of Army Staff Qamar Bajwa and discussed ways to advance Pakistan-US relations and the Afghan reconciliation efforts, the State Department said. In a press release, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that Secretary Pompeo and General Bajwa discussed ways to advance U.S.-Pakistani bilateral relations, the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan, and the importance of targeting all militant and terrorist groups in South Asia without distinction.

Meanwhile, US Vice President Mike Pence called Prime Minister Nasir ul Mulk to congratulate him on assuming office. Vice President appreciated Prime Minister Mulk's illustrious career as a jurist and wished him well for the effective implementation of the specific mandate of the caretaker government to hold elections in Pakistan. He also conveyed the good wishes of US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Mulk and Vice President Pence agreed upon the importance of strengthening bilateral relations as well as pursuing the common objective of achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister thanked Vice President Pence for his congratulatory call and added that the caretaker government was committed to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in holding free and fair elections and the smooth transition of power to the elected government, in accordance with the constitution.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018