US says will not let lies, propaganda affect bilateral ties
WASHINGTON: United States of America (USA) has said that propaganda, misinformation, and lies will not be allowed to get in the way of the bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
Responding to a question about former Prime Minister Imran Khan still blaming US efforts for his ouster, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that there is no reality in such accusation and US values its ties with Pakistan.
“We are not going to let propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation, lies get in the way of any bilateral relationship we have including with the bilateral relationship we have with Pakistan one we value,” the department spokesman, Ned Price said.
The State Department has repeatedly refuted the former premier’s allegations, saying the US does not support one political party over another in Pakistan, but instead supports the principles of rule of law.
Talking about telephonic contact between Bilawal Bhutto and US Secretary of State, the spokesperson said that leaders of both country had an opportunity to reflect on the 75th anniversary of US-Pakistani relations, to talk about how they can strengthen that cooperation going forward. It is a broad-based bilateral relationship.
“The Secretary underscored the resolute US-Pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and to combating terrorism as well. They also discussed ongoing engagement when it comes to our economic ties, trade and investment, climate, energy, health, and education.”
But he said that Secretary Blinken did have an opportunity to speak with his new Pakistani counterpart last week, saying they reflected on the 75th anniversary of US- Pakistani relations, and to talk about how to strengthen that cooperation, going forward.
“It is a broad based bilateral relationship,” Price said.
Secretary Blinken, he said, underscored “the resolute US- Pakistan commitment to Afghan stability and to combating terrorism as well.”
Price added, “They also discussed ongoing engagement when it comes to our economic ties, trade, investment, climate, energy, health and education. So it was a wide ranging conversation as these introductory conversations often times are and I expect before long, they will have an opportunity to follow up on that.
To another question about the possibility of continuation and expansion of the educational exchange relationship between the two countries, he said, “I absolutely do.”
“Our educational exchange program, whether it’s with Pakistan, whether it is with any other country, it’s a core element of our people-to-people ties,” the spokesman said.
“We’ve been fortunate to have Pakistanis studying here in this country. We have American students who have had the opportunity to study in Pakistan. Those types of exchanges are always helpful, always valuable, as we seek to understand our partners and as Americans seek to better understand the world and as we have other countries have better understand America,” Price added. TF REPORT
