ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan said on Thursday that it looked forward to work closely with the new US administration towards mutual benefits of both the countries after Republican Donald Trump’s victory ended Democrat’s eight-year rule in the United States.
In his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, the Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that it will remain the endeavour of Pakistan to promote and strengthen the existing relationship with the US in the areas of common interest.
Pakistan has multidimensional and strategic relationships with the US including economic, defence, Science and Technology, education, strategic issues, counter-terrorism and wants to strengthen them further, he said.
The 70-year-old Donald Trump became the 45th US President after he defeated Democratic Party Candidate Hillary in 58th US Presidential Election held on November 8.
Nafees Zakaria said that that Pakistani leadership has congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory as the US President.
The spokesman said that the US president elect had offered mediation between Pakistan and India on Kashmir dispute during his campaign and we had welcomed that offer. He said that the Kashmiri people are rendering sacrifices for their right to self-determination.
Zakaria said that Pakistan is concerned over continued atrocities by Indian forces in Occupied Kashmir and it will continue to raise Indian brutalities and human rights violations at international fora. He said that Pakistan also continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the just cause of Kashmiris.
In reply to a question, the spokesman said that six out of eight Indian diplomats found involved in subversive activities in Pakistan have left Pakistan.
In reply to another question, he said that eight leaders and commanders of Haqqani network have been killed since July 6 this year in Afghanistan, adding that this is reflective of where the leaders of Haqqani network is at the moment.
The spokesman said that Pakistan wishes peace and stability in Afghanistan and in this context it is committed to help all the initiatives aimed at bringing peace there. He said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the entire region.
Moreover, Nafees Zakaria told media persons that Saudi Arabia has shown interest in acquiring 17 JF Thunder and Super Mashak aircraft and both the countries are negotiating in this regard. He said that Pakistan enjoys deep rooted relations with Saudi Arabia.
