- Both sides are intended to increase ties in trade, tech, AI, security.
- Pakistan is pushing trade over assistance, opening the market for us.
- China weapons deals based on value, not alliances, says Dar.
Washington: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Friday he was hope that a trade agreement between Pakistan and the United States could be hit in a few days, not weeks.
“I think we’re very close to ending a deal with the US. Our team has been here in Washington, discussing having virtual meetings and a committee has been given the prime minister to fine -tune now,” Dar said in a discussion at Atlantic Council Think Tank in Washington.
“It won’t be months, not even weeks, I will say (just) days,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister shared these views after a productive bilateral encounter with US State Secretary Marco Rubio earlier in the day; However, the US officials did not offer any timeframe regarding the much -needed trade agreement.
“Binding between Pakistan and the United States is getting better, and both sides agree to work on building a strong, long -term partnership,” he told the audience.
Dar noted that his discussion with Rubio covered a wide range of issues in which both sides expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and counter -terrorism.
“We also discussed regional and global questions.”
DAR thanked President Donald Trump-led US administration for playing a useful role in easeing tension between Pakistan and India.
He confirmed Pakistan’s obligation to close cooperation on global forums, including the UN Security Council, and emphasized the need for dialogue in the Iran-Israel conflict.
In a talk about financial relations with Washington, the Deputy Prime Minister said: “Pakistan wants trade, not help.”
“Pakistan plans to give greater access to US products in its markets and welcome US investors in the mining sector.”
Pakistan-India tension
When he talked about Pakistan-India tensions, Dar said the two countries have to stop pointing fingers and start building confidence if they want to move forward.
About the topic of terrorism he said, “Pakistan is already taking action and doesn’t have to be told what to do.”
“India has not provided any evidence that Pakistan was involved in the Pahagam attack, Dar said, adding,” India often uses terrorism to shift focus and avoid the real question, Kashmir -Tvisten, which remains the most important bone in violation between the two neighbors. ”
He told the audience that India has repeatedly tried to change the demographics of the region during its more than 70 years of illegal occupation.
Dar also remembered the events that led to the ceasefire in May, stating that Pakistan ended his military operation in defense of his sovereignty.
He said Rubio had asked if Pakistan was ready for a ceasefire, as he replied, “We were not ready to start a war in the first place.”
Dar said the United States had promised to help create conversations between Pakistan and India in a neutral place.
“Pakistan is ready to talk about everything, from Kashmir to terrorism, but made it clear that the negotiations must be two -sided.
“Pakistan can’t sit alone and expect results,” the deputy said during his speech on the think tank.
“Pakistan wants no conflict with his neighbors,” he said. “We seek lasting peace in South Asia, built on trade and partnerships, not hostility.”
When asked that the US naming of the opposition’s front (TRF) a terrorist group, Dar said Pakistan had no problem with the move, but he strongly disagreed with connecting TRF to Lashkar-E-Taiba.
He said the group was broken up many years ago, its members were arrested and imprisoned, and “TRF has nothing to do with it.”
Long -term ribbon
Deputy Prime Minister said the United States has to move away from transaction ties and work towards a more strategic and stable relationship with Pakistan.
He made it clear that Pakistan’s defense is dealing with China would not affect its relations with the United States, as such decisions depend on which country offers the better deal.
DAR also faced questions about Pakistan’s internal political situation.
‘Domestic CEASFIRE’
He said that former PTI chairman Imran Khan used to meet him regularly and that he personally donated to Khan’s hospital.
He accused Khan’s sit-in of stopping financial progress and said he had tried to mediate a “domestic ceasefire” at the time.
Dar criticized Khan for taking weapons against the state on May 9 and saying that such acts should be treated under the law, regardless of one’s popularity.
“No one has the right to attack military installations,” he said. “It’s not politics – it’s betrayal.”
Dr. AFIA Siddiqui Case
In a comment on the US prison of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui said Dar he had no objection to it if done under the law, but pointed out that attacks on national installations in Pakistan were also a betrayal – a reference to PTI’s alleged violent policy.
When he talked about terrorism and extremism, Dar praised former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for taking tough steps towards Militans.
He criticized the PTI government for undoing this progress.
Deputy Prime Minister said the (Imran Khan-led regime) released over 100 militants, opened the borders and let 30,000 to 40,000 Taliban fighters come back and re-group inside Pakistan.
“One cup of tea brought armed rebellion back to life in Pakistan,” he said in a sharp reprimand of the previous government’s policy.
Dar-Rubio meeting
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously praised Pakistan’s victims of the war on terror during a meeting with DPM Dar, a rare high -level interaction between the two countries.
The bond between Islamabad and Washington has improved after a long diplomatic freezing. The thaw became more visible last month when US President Donald Trump gave a warm welcome to Field Marshal Asim Munir in the White House.
In his first meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, which lasted for 40 minutes, Rubio Pakistan recognized unmatched victims of the war against terror and praised the country’s constructive role in the global and regional peace.
