Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing a press conference at the Foreign Office (FO) on Friday asserted that the United States (US) handout on a phone call between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo a day earlier which mentioned terrorists operating in Pakistan “is not representative of the facts”.
A readout on the PM Khan-Pompeo phone call issued by the US State Department had said: “Secretary Pompeo raised the importance of Pakistan taking decisive action against all terrorists operating in Pakistan and its vital role in promoting the Afghan peace process.”
Soon after, the Foreign Office had taken exception to the “factually incorrect statement issued by the US State Department” regarding the discussion during the phone call, saying there was “no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan”.
Following the FO’s statement, US State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said: “We stand by our readout.”
Qureshi, while addressing a briefing at the FO alongside spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal today, said that the latter had “presented Pakistan’s stance” regarding PM Khan’s phone call with Pompeo.
“The statement issued by the State Department in which some things have been mentioned is in contrast to the truth,” Qureshi said.
“I was in Multan addressing a gathering, but the foreign secretary wanted to speak to me urgently [regarding the matter]. I told her yes, we must issue an immediate clarification,” he said.
“I will say, yes, their press release mentioning terrorists operating in Pakistan is in contrary to the facts.”
“The impression that has been given in their press release, which mentions terrorists operating in Pakistan, is in contrast with reality. And I say this with full confidence.”
“I would also like to say that what conversation took place between Pompeo and PM Khan, you will be surprised to know that it was a very good conversation. He congratulated PM Khan and expressed a wish to engage constructively with the new government. They want a productive bilateral relationship. Wherever our interests converge, we have to proceed accordingly,” Qureshi said.
“I look forward to Pompeo’s visit and to engage with him for peace and stability and look at areas where both countries stand to gain,” the foreign minister added.
‘Strained ties with US known to all’
“The strained ties with the US are known to all,” Qureshi told the briefing. “Relations with the US have always seen highs and lows.”
“It is an important bilateral relationship. We briefed the PM that to bring back relations to their former high, we cannot deny Afghanistan’s importance. Their needs will have to be understood for this to be possible.”
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo is set to visit Pakistan soon, the foreign minister said, adding that the “early interaction will prove beneficial, we believe”.
Qureshi also said: “Peace in Afghanistan is central to peace in Pakistan. President Ashraf Ghani has also sent a positive signal [to Pakistan]. We have to see what role Pakistan can assume.”
