November 22, 2019: The trade ties between Pakistan and the United States are set to witness a new record this year as U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirmed commitment for a stronger relationship, the White House said on Friday.
"The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the United States-Pakistan trade relationship, which is on track to set a new record this year, as well as investment and people-to-people ties between our countries,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement following the telephonic conversation between the two leaders that took place Thursday evening.
The relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. entered into a fresh phase of rejuvenation after Prime Minister Imran Khan assumed his office last year. Later, the meeting between Imran Khan and President Trump in Washington this July gave a positive dimension to the otherwise roller-coaster bilateral ties as the discussion featured Trump's mediation offer on Kashmir.
In a joint press conference at White House the same day, Prime Minister Imran Khan informed President Trump of a "good news" in the offing, which was interpreted by media as related to the release of an American and an Australian professors abducted by Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan two and a half years ago.
After the release of two professors this week, President Trump called to thank Imran Khan in view of facilitation extended by Pakistan.
“President Donald J. Trump spoke with Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan. He thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s support for the recovery of American hostage Kevin King and Australian hostage Timothy Weeks," the PM Office statement said after the phone call.
The PM Office said: "President Trump hopes this positive development will contribute to furthering the peace process in Afghanistan," adding that he also thanked the Prime Minister for Pakistan’s efforts in facilitating this positive outcome.
Prime Minister Imran Khan conveyed that the release of Western hostages in Afghanistan was a "positive development and Pakistan was happy that they were safe and free."
The Prime Minister re-affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the advancement of Afghan peace and reconciliation process for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Both leaders agreed to continue to work together for the promotion of this shared objective.
The Prime Minister apprised President Trump of the current situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring that over eight million people remained under siege for over 100 days.
Appreciating President Trump’s continued engagement as well as mediation offer, Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that the President must continue his efforts for facilitation of a peaceful solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Recalling their conversations in Washington and New York, the two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral collaboration, including at relevant multilateral fora.
The two leaders further agreed to remain in close contact, according to PM Office.
To recall, the total Exports from Pakistan as per Balance of Payment (BOP) during the Jul-Oct FY20 amounted to $8.2 billion, as against $7.9 billion in Jul-Oct FY19. This resulted in an increase of 3.35% YoY during the period under review.
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