Pakistan desires to work with Trump administration for stronger bilateral ties: PM

• PM urges US companies to invest in Pakistan’s minerals sector.
• Highlights importance of Pakistan-US relations for regional peace.
• Meyer praises Pakistan’s successful hosting of mineral forum.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that his government desires to work with President Donald Trump and his administration to strengthen bilateral relations with the United States.

The premier said this in a meeting with a US delegation, led by Eric Meyer, the senior bureau official and acting assistant secretary of the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State on Wednesday. 

The US officials paid a courtesy call to PM Shehbaz in Islamabad on the sidelines of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum. The two-day conference is being held on April 8-9.

PM Shehbaz welcomed US participation at the forum and emphasised that Pakistan’s minerals sector presented immense opportunities, encouraging US companies to invest in that priority sector.

He underscored the significance of Pakistan-US relations not only in the bilateral context but also for regional peace and security as well as enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment and counter-terrorism.

Acting Assistant Secretary Meyer congratulated Pakistan on successfully hosting the Pakistan Mineral Investment Forum.

He acknowledged the potential of Pakistan’s mineral sector and conveyed the interest of the US companies in investing in the minerals sector. He also expressed the US desire to work with Pakistan on issues of shared interest. 

Meyer said that the US looked forward to enhancing bilateral ties with Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Division Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other high-level government officials also attended the meeting.