Islamabad:

Through its acting ambassador to Islamabad, the Trump administration has conveyed to Pakistan that the United States would work with it in “Persecution of ordinary goals” to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

The message was delivered to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by the American Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, who met him on Tuesday. This was the first official contact between the two sides since President Donald Trump took responsibility for the White House a month ago.

While remembering the long history of the decades of close cooperation between the two countries, according to an official distribution issued by the Prime Minister’s office, Shehbaz Pakistan’s strong desire to work closely with the Trump administration confirmed to further strengthen bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to improve trade as well as cooperation in information technology (IT), agriculture, health, education and energy, among other areas of mutual interest.

He also emphasized the need for both countries to continue their close cooperation within the terrorist domain, especially to deal with the threat of Daesh and Fitna Al Khawaraj-one expression used for terrorists belonging to the forbidden Tehreek-E-Taliban Pakistan ( TTP).

The US diplomat thanked the prime minister for receiving her and said the new administration would work with Pakistan in the pursuit of ordinary goals to strengthen the bilateral relationship, according to the official statement.

Pakistan, once known as the “most allied” allies in the United States, is no longer a priority for US administration. While President Trump was already hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi within days of his inauguration, he has not even talked to the Pakistani Prime Minister.

But Tuesday’s visit by the US diplomat suggested that something could cook that otherwise, the prime minister rarely received the leader of the diplomatic mission.

Although the Pakistani side expressed his desire to work closely with the Trump administration, Islamabad is on duty against certain policies from the new US government. It is particularly concerned about the suspension of the Afghan refugee program as thousands of such Afghans are beaten in Pakistan.

As part of the understanding that was reached with the former Biden administration, Pakistan had agreed to allow thousands of Afghans who worked for the United States during his campaign in Afghanistan to stay in the country before their resettlement to the United States.

However, the process of transferring such Afghans to the United States has remained dishonestly slow. The Biden -Administration had agreed to end the conciliation process in September 2025. But President Trump stopped the process at least for 90 days through an executive order.

Pakistan is concerned that at least 25,000 Afghans who should be led to the United States may remain permanently in the country. Islamabad wants the process to be accelerated. The statement from the Prime Minister’s Office did not suggest whether the question came up to discusses. But sources said it was part of those voice points.