ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will arrive in Washington on Saturday ahead of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, the state APP news agency reported, in a trip that the South Asian nation hopes will help restore trust and attract much-needed investment.
Khan will carry out “high-stake parleys with President Donald Trump on advancing Pakistan-US relations in the backdrop of improving climate of trust between the two countries,” the APP said.
“In what would be a Pakistani leader’s first visit to Washington in more than five years, the prime minister will also interact with top American lawmakers including Speaker of the House of Representatives and members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to develop understanding on some key regional and bilateral issues,” the agency said.
Last year, Trump cut off hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance to Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of offering “nothing but lies and deceit” while giving safe haven to terrorists, a charge rejected by Islamabad.
Pakistan now hopes this week’s arrest of Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of a four-day militant attack on the Indian city of Mumbai in 2008, will send the right signals to Trump, who welcomed the news on Twitter.
Khan will be accompanied to Washington by the powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa who is expected to play a key role in behind-the-scenes discussions, with the military looking to persuade Washington to restore aid and cooperation.
Pakistani PM to arrive in Washington today ahead of Trump meeting
Pakistani PM to arrive in Washington today ahead of Trump meeting
- PM will be accompanied by Army Chief General Bajwa
- Pakistan hopes visit will rebuild trust, persuade US to restore aid
