Pakistani Foreign Minister Discusses Regional and International Developments with Two U.S. House of Representatives Members

Islamabad, July 28 (KUNA) -- Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar held talks today with two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, discussing a number of issues of mutual interest, foremost among them regional and international developments and bilateral relations.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Dar received Representatives Ryan Zinke of Montana and Michael Baumgartner of Washington, highlighting the “positive momentum” characterizing Pakistan-U.S. relations. The statement added that the two sides discussed ways to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in trade, investment, information technology, energy, and other areas of shared interest. Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing parliamentary dialogue to “consolidate mutual trust and support the longstanding partnership” between Pakistan and the United States.

The statement noted that the two members of Congress praised the “valuable contributions of the active Pakistani community to the U.S. economy and society,” regarding them as a “vital bridge between Pakistan and the United States.” The Congress members also commended Pakistan’s “constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability.”

In a related development, Ishaq Dar, in a speech delivered during an interactive session held at the Pakistani Foreign Ministry headquarters in Islamabad, attended by the two Congress members and a delegation of 33 American business leaders, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through sustained parliamentary engagement, expanding economic cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people ties.

Dar stressed the “immense potential” for boosting trade, investment, innovation, and cooperation in technology, energy, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, minerals, and other sectors of mutual interest. He called on U.S. companies to invest in Pakistan, expressing the federal government’s commitment in Islamabad to facilitating investment, advancing economic reforms, and fostering long-term partnerships that contribute to shared growth and prosperity.

It is worth noting that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed with Zinke and Baumgartner on Monday regional security, defense cooperation between Islamabad and Washington, and ways to enhance economic cooperation and prosperity between the two capitals. (End) S.B.K./M.A.A.