TIES with the United States are amongst the most tortuous —

and important — bilateral relationships this country maintains.

Tortuous because ever since the defeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan,

Islamabad and Washington have drifted far apart on a number of issues,
with many in this country feeling that the US abandoned Pakistan after it
gave the Soviets a bloody nose in the Afghan jihad.

Yet the relationship is important as despite the upheaval in global politics,

the US remains an economic and military superpower — one that Pakistan
cannot afford to have hostile ties with.

Currently, the relationship can certainly use much tweaking, and perhaps

that is what Prime Minister Imran Khan plans to do as he begins his visit to
Washington.

To be sure, the optics are quite odd, as along with other officials, Mr Khan
has also included the army chief and the ISI head in the delegation.

This may be one of the rare occasions where a head of government is

accompanied by the country’s army chief in the meeting with the US
president.

Some in Washington may interpret this as weakness on part of the civilian

government, while others will ask if Mr Khan has his own reasons for
taking him along.

He may well want to send a message to Washington (as well as to his

domestic audience) that the civilian and military leadership are on the same
page.

Also, since the time of Independence, the military-to-military relationship

has been a primary pillar of Pakistan-US ties.

Where the Trump administration is concerned, it views Pakistan primarily

through the lens of Afghanistan, while also focusing on counterterrorism.

Although it would be idealistic to assume that this history will be brushed

aside and a wide-ranging relationship created after this trip, what is
entirely possible is for Pakistan to convince the US that besides military
ties, this country’s views on a wide number of issues must also be
considered.

So far, under Mr Trump’s watch the relationship has been quite bumpy, a

continuation in many ways of what ties were under the Obama
administration — the Pakistan-US relationship has yet to move beyond the
‘do more plus’.
True, Afghanistan is important, and there is a realisation in America that
without Pakistan’s involvement, stability is not possible in the region.

It is also in Pakistan’s interest to eliminate all transnational militant groups

that may be using its soil for terrorism purposes.

But beyond these two issues, Washington needs to pay heed to Pakistan’s
concerns on Indian interference in Balochistan, and support in the US for
separatists in the province.

The US-India relationship must not come at the cost of isolating this
country.

As far as relationships with other regional states — especially China and

Iran — go, the US would be better off understanding Pakistan’s policies and
commitments, instead of punishing it for pursuing an independent foreign
policy.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2019

n a meeting on Sunday morning at the Embassy of Pakistan in

Washington DC, Prime Minister Imran Khan invited
businessmen and investors to benefit from economic and
business opportunities in Pakistan.

The premier is on a three-day official working visit to the US.

PTI
✔@PTIofficial

‫ وزیر اعظم عمران خان کو پھولوں کا گلدستہ پیش کیا گیا‬،‫وزیر اعظم عمران خان کی پاکستانی سفارتخانے میں آمد‬
PMIKVisitingUS #PrimeMinisterImranKhan# ‫اور اُنھوں نے وزیٹر بُک میں اپنے خیاالت بھی لکھے‬

#PTI #Pakistan #USA #PMIKInUSA

945
7:45 PM - Jul 21, 2019
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Former Ambassador Munir Akram accompanied by Shahal Khan, a leading

American investor of Pakistani origin, called on the premier at the Embassy
"to discuss trade and investment avenues in Pakistan", according to the
party's official Twitter account.

PM Imran also met with Tahir Javed, a Texas-based Pakistani businessman

and a member of the Democratic Party; Javaid Anwar, a Pakistani
American businessman; as well as a group of prospective investors.

Furthermore, Nasir Javed, Ashraf Kazi and Shaukat Dhanani "briefed the
prime minister about their interest for investment in the fields of academia,
manufacturing and steel industry".

"Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Maritime Affairs

Ali Zaidi, Adviser on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Adviser on Finance
Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis and HRD Zulfiqar
Abbas Bukhari were also present during the meetings," said PTI in
another Twitter post.

Zia Chishti, CEO of Afiniti; Mohammed Khaishgi, Founding Partner of The

Resource Group and Hasnain Aslam, Chief Investment Officer at The
Resource Group also called on PM Imran at the Embassy, it added.
"The investors expressed their desire to further enhance their investment in
the IT and technology sector of Pakistan," it said.

According to a post shared by the government's official Twitter account, the

premier invited the businessmen to "benefit from the economic and
business opportunities afforded by Pakistan's strategic location and the
connectivity to the broader region".

Govt of Pakistan
✔@pid_gov

 · Jul 21, 2019

Replying to @pid_gov
Prime Minister Imran Khan invited businessmen and investors to benefit from the economic and
business opportunities afforded by Pakistan's strategic location and the connectivity to the
broader region.#PMIKVisitingUS #PMIKInUSA

Govt of Pakistan
✔@pid_gov

The investors appreciated improved security environment in Pakistan and identified

areas of interest with regard to investment in key sectors including energy and
tourism.#PMIKVisitingUS #PMIKInUSA

297
7:26 AM - Jul 21, 2019
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Additionally, the investors appreciated the improved security situation in

Pakistan and identified other areas of interest for investment such as
energy and tourism sectors.

PM Imran's itinerary
Earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while discussing the
prime minister's schedule, said Prime Minister Imran on Sunday will also
meet IMF chief David Lipton and his delegation and will later have a
similar meeting with the World Bank president. Later in the evening, he
will deliver an address at a community event at Washington’s Capital One
Arena.

"We are expecting between 15,000 and 20,000 people," said the chief
organiser of the event, Dr Abdullah Riar.

A Twitter post by the party, sharing images from outside the venue, said
that "the stage is all set for the historical community address by the prime
minister".

PTI
✔@PTIofficial

The final countdown has started, the stage is all set for the historical community
address by Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI on the US soil; after a massive jalsa in

Qatar, this will be the second biggest jalsa on a foreign soil of Kaptaan
#PMIKVisitingUS
843
9:55 PM - Jul 21, 2019
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The address is scheduled to take place at 4pm Washington DC time,

according to the Capital One Arena website, which means 1am Pakistan
Standard Time.

"A special documentary will also be aired on the occasion depicting the
historic political struggle of Imran Khan," Radio Pakistan reported.

His other engagements include media interviews, addressing the US-

Pakistani Business Council and a dinner meeting with selected leaders of
America’s corporate sector.

On Monday, the prime minister will arrive at the White House and after the
book signing ceremony, he will attend two sessions: a small group meeting
and an extended meeting. The first meeting will be in the Oval Office and
the second in the cabinet room.
Prime Minister Imran will also have an extensive one-on-one meeting with
President Trump. The US leader will accompany him on a White House
tour that will give them more time "to mingle and chat", the foreign
minister said.

On Tuesday, July 23, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will call on the
prime minister. Prime Minister Imran will also address a meeting at the US
Institute of Peace and have lunch with newspaper editors. Later, he will go
to Capitol Hill for a meeting with the Foreign Relations Committee of the
Senate and later address the bipartisan Pakistani American Caucus. So far,
40-plus lawmakers have reportedly already signed up for this meeting.

PM Imran will also meet Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi before
returning home on July 23.

Hundreds welcome PM to DC
Upon his arrival on Saturday, Americans of Pakistani origin braved
sweltering heat to welcome the premier to Washington DC.

Hundreds of members of the community belonging to Washington metro

area and other states came to the US capital and lined up along
Massachusetts Avenue near Pakistan House, where the prime minister is
staying during the visit.

"We are so excited that our leader is here. Pakistani-Americans are here to
show their love for him," Johny Bashir, a Virginia-based PTI enthusiast
said, as people waved the Pakistani and American flags to express their
support for the visit.

"I am so happy as a Pakistani-American that PM [Imran] Khan is here.

"I am sure he will bridge disconnect between the two countries and bring
them together in a strong bond of friendship," said Virginia-based Imran
Butt.

Saadat Rana, a Woodbridge-based businessman, said the community is

waiting anxiously to hear the premier address them at the Capital One
Arena.

"We are so happy and believe that the visit will be historic in fostering close
relations and creating understanding between [the] peoples of two
countries," he said.

"We take pride in the fact that Pakistan has a dignified prime minister now.
And the expatriate business community looks forward to investing in
Pakistan," Imran Igra, a New York-based entrepreneur who drove to DC for
the visit, said.
The gathered supporters changed slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad'.

A rally of over 100 cars followed the prime minister from Dulles Airport to
Washington DC to greet the leader.

S Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday arrived in

Washington for his 3-day ‘official working visit’ to the United
States on a commercial Qatar Airways flight.

He will stay at the ambassador’s residence in the city’s diplomatic enclave.

Take a look: State, official, working and private visits from Islamabad

to Washington

PTI
✔@PTIofficial

And the moment that everyone has been waiting for is here; Prime Minister Khan
lands in US for a 3-day official visit upon POTUS @realDonaldTrump ‘s invitation.
Foreign Minister @SMQureshiPTI who is already in US receives PM Khan. On way
to Pakistan House now!

#PMIKVisitingUS
2,494
12:50 AM - Jul 21, 2019
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During the premier's stopover in Doha, he was hosted by Qatar Airways

CEO Akbar Al Baker, Radio Pakistan reported.
PM Imran meeting Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Albaker. — Photo courtesy Radio Pakistan
The decision to take a commercial flight has been touted as a bid to "save
taxpayer money". The government has repeatedly promised that the entire
trip will cost a total $60,000 to the exchequer — significantly less than the
much higher expenditures allegedly incurred by past chief executives.

COAS and ISI chief accompany PM

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and the director general of
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are accompanying the prime minister.

Apparently, this is the first time that the country’s top generals are
accompanying a prime minister to a White House meeting with the US
president.

Diplomatic sources told Dawn that Gen Bajwa would meet Defence

Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan, the new chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff
Gen Mark Milley and other senior officials during his visit to Pentagon.

This will be Gen Milley’s first meeting with a foreign military leader since
his confirmation on Thursday by the US Senate's Armed Services
Committee.

Commenting on the PM’s decision to bring top military officials to

Washington, Marvin Weinbaum, a US scholar of South Asian affairs, said:
“Policymakers in Washington have noticed that after a long time, Pakistan’s
civil and military leaders are on the same page on key issues.”
Weinbaum said Afghanistan and terrorism were two primary concerns of
the Trump administration in South Asia, and they knew on such issues “no
major decision can be implemented in Pakistan without the army’s
support.”

Prime Minister Imran's itinerary

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while discussing the prime
minister's schedule, said that he will arrive in Washington on Saturday
afternoon and will stay at the ambassador’s residence in the city’s
diplomatic enclave. In the evening, he will meet people who have had a long
association with the PTI and have been instrumental in helping organise
the visit.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Imran will meet IMF chief David Lipton and his
delegation and will later have a similar meeting with the World Bank
president. Later in the evening, he will attend a community event at
Washington’s Capital One Arena.

“We are expecting between 15,000 and 20,000 people,” said chief organizer
of the event Dr Abdullah Riar.

His other engagements include a meeting of Pakistani-Americans investors,

media interviews, addressing the US-Pakistani Business Council and a
dinner meeting with selected leaders of America’s corporate sector.

On Monday, the prime minister will arrive at the White House and after the
book signing ceremony, he will attend two sessions: a small group meeting
and an extended meeting. The first meeting will be in the Oval Office and
the second in the cabinet room.

Prime Minister Imran will also have a one-on-one meeting with President
Trump. The US leader will accompany him on a White House tour that will
give them more time “to mingle and chat”, the foreign minister said.

On July 23, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will call on the prime
minister. Prime Minister Imran will also address a meeting at the US
Institute of Peace and have lunch with newspaper editors. Later, he will go
to Capitol Hill for a meeting with the Foreign Relations Committee of the
Senate and later address the bipartisan Pakistani American Caucus. So far,
40-plus lawmakers have reportedly already signed up for this meeting.

PM Khan will also meet Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi before
returning home on July 23.

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Imran Khan, now in

Washington on a three-day official working visit, spent his first
day in the US capital, encouraging Pakistani, American and
international business leaders to invest in Pakistan.

Although a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House

on Monday is the most important event of this visit, the prime minister
seems equally focused on the efforts to jumpstart the country’s ailing
economy.

On Sunday afternoon, he met the World Bank’s new president David

Malpass and the acting Managing Director of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), David Lipton. The World Bank group has assumed a pivotal
role in Islamabad’s revival efforts since Pakistan signed a bailout package
with the IMF in May.

Pakistan hopes the $6bn package will help rebalance its economy and
strengthen its balance of payments position. Pakistan is also seeking
foreign direct investment as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
projects and loan packages from other international partners to further
augment its economy.

Pakistan has also hired the services of a leading lobbying firm to ensure
effective representation of its interests in the United States.

Relations between the two countries have been turbulent since President
Donald Trump took office in 2017 and slapped restrictions for Pakistan’s
alleged non-cooperation in efforts to stabilise Afghanistan.

Imran meets World Bank’s president, IMF acting MD

But recently, top US officials publicly acknowledged Pakistan’s help in
arranging US-Taliban talks in Doha, Qatar, and appreciated the measures it
has taken so far to curb terrorism at home.

Apparently, these developments did have an impact on the Trump

administration’s approach and led to an invitation to the prime minister for
a White House summit meeting with President Trump.

On Saturday, Pakistan signed a contract with Tom Reynolds, a former

Republican congressman from New York who represents the firm Holland
& Knight. Pakistan hopes the firm will be able to take advantage of the
recent positive developments to boost its image.

At a series of meetings on Saturday evening and Sunday, the prime minister

invited businessmen and investors to benefit from the economic and
business opportunities that Pakistan offers.
According to a post shared by the government’s official Twitter account, the
premier invited the businessmen to take advantage of Pakistan’s “strategic
location and the connectivity to the broader region”.

The post said that the investors appreciated improved security environment
in Pakistan and identified areas of interest that could attract investments.
The key sectors they identified included energy and tourism.

The prime minister highlighted the policy framework and conducive

environment the government had created for promoting foreign
investment. He said the government was also working hard for improving
the ease of doing business environment, for reviving industries and for
socio-economic development of the country.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Maritime Affairs

Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak
Dawood, Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and Adviser for
Overseas Pakistanis Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari assisted the prime
minister in these meetings.

As Prime Minister Khan reached Washington on Saturday afternoon, a

large number of his supporters gathered outside the airport and the
Pakistani ambassador’s residence, braving sweltering heat. Mr Khan, who is
staying with the ambassador, has always enjoyed a strong support among
Pakistani-Americans.

A rally of over 100 cars followed the prime minister from Dulles Airport to
the ambassador’s residence.

On Sunday evening, Mr Khan will address a large community gathering at

Washington’s Capital One Arena.

On Monday, the prime minister will arrive at the White House and, after
the book signing ceremony, will attend two sessions: a small group meeting
and an extended meeting. The first meeting will be in the Oval Office and
the second in the cabinet room.

Prime Minister Khan will also have a one-on-one meeting with President
Trump. The US leader will accompany him on a White House tour that will
give them more time “to mingle and chat”, the foreign minister said.

On July 23, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will call on the prime
minister. Mr Khan will also address a meeting at the US Institute of Peace
and have lunch with newspaper editors.

Later, he will go to Capitol Hill for a meeting with the Foreign Relations
Committee of the Senate and also address the bipartisan Pakistani
American Caucus. So far, more than 40 lawmakers have reportedly signed
up for this meeting PM Khan will also meet Speaker of the House Nancy
Pelosi before returning home on July 23.

Christians protest

On Saturday, about 50 Pakistani Christians and others gathered outside the

White House to demand protections for religious minorities in Pakistan.

Chanting “Long Live Pakistan, God Bless America and PM Imran Khan
Welcome,” they made it clear that they were not against their country of
origin or the prime minister’s visit.

They said they were protesting against forced marriages/conversions,

misuse of blasphemy laws and over four-year detention of Yuhannabad
victims.

They also prayed for peace in Pakistan and for Imran Khan’s success in
improving the Pakistani economy.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2019

WASHINGTON: As Prime Minister Imran Khan reachedWashington on Saturday on a
three-day, official working visit, a senior US administration official indicated that
Washington may consider making some “changes to the suspension” of US security
assistance to Pakistan if Islamabad readjusts some of its policies.

Briefing journalists on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit, the official also said that by
extending an invitation to the Pakistani leader to visit the White House, the United States has
sent a message to Islamabad that the “door is open to repairing relations” and building an
enduring partnership.

“By and large that security assistance is still suspended,” said the official while responding to
a question on the continued suspension of US security assistance to Pakistan. The Trump
administration suspended security assistance to Pakistan in January 2018, and this marks the
first time a US official has discussed the possibility — even though remote — of removing
that suspension if Pakistan takes certain measures.

Official says Islamabad will have to ‘change its policies’

towards militancy and regional peace
“We will consider changing that suspension on certain items if Pakistan meets our security
concerns both in Afghanistan, and with regard to some of the externally focus groups like
Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,” the official told reporters during a conference call.

But so far, there “has been no change to that suspension and security assistance,” the official
added.
The official also said that to avail the opportunity for restoring a close relationship with
Washington, Islamabad will have to “change its policies” towards terrorism and militancy.

PM Khan, who began his official engagements soon after his arrival, goes to the White House
on July 22 for an extensive three-hour visit, which includes a one-on-one meeting with
President Donald Trump and two meetings and a working lunch with the president’s team.

Besides President Trump, the US team will include Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin,
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, Acting Secretary of Defence
Richard Spencer and Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff General Joseph Dunford.

The prime minister’s team will include Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Army
Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and other senior civil and military officials.

The senior Trump administration official said that President Trump will be most interested in
encouraging Pakistan to assist in the Afghan peace process and he hopes that “the discussions
will be productive”.

The White House also sees the visit as an opportunity to incentivise Pakistan to use its
leverage on the Taliban to advance the Afghan peace process.

“We see that this visit could incentivise Pakistan to continue down the path that they have
started. They’ve facilitated contacts to Taliban and met some of our requests with regards to
the Afghan peace process,” the official said.

“We’re at a critical juncture and we need to see more cooperation from Pakistan. They need
to use their full leverage in this endeavour. And so, we see this visit as an opportunity to
encourage them to do more,” said the official.

Apparently, Afghanistan will be the main item on the US agenda and Washington seems
clear that it needs Pakistan’s support to achieve this objective.

“We are calling on Pakistan for assistance in moving the peace process forward,” said the
official, adding that the US “appreciates initial steps that Pakistan has taken to facilitate” the
US-Taliban talks but at this “critical juncture in the peace process,” it needs more support.

“We are asking Pakistan to pressure the Taliban into a permanent ceasefire and participation
in intra-Afghan negotiations that would include the Afghan government,” the official said.

The United States would also ask Pakistan to take irreversible action against terrorist and
militant groups, and to facilitate peace talks with the Taliban for an intra-Afghan dialogue,
the official added.

The Trump administration is making arrangements for a warm welcome to the prime
minister, who will be the first Pakistani leader in four years to meet a US president when he
visits the White House.

For the United States, the purpose of the visit “is to press for concrete cooperation from
Pakistan to advance the Afghan peace process, and to encourage Pakistan to deepen and
sustain its recent effort to crack down on terrorist and militants within its territory,” the
official said.
But the official also said that the United States would not take “the initial steps” that Pakistan
has so far taken at their “face value”.

“We are monitoring the situation. We will wait and see if the steps are made irreversible and
sustainable,” the official said.

Discussions with Pakistan will also include potential cooperation on trade and energy and the
White House will encourage Pakistan to “create” opportunity for enhancing regional
economic development and connectivity, the official added.

The United States, the official added, would continue to “encourage Pakistan to ease
restrictions on transit trade between India and Afghanistan”.

“We think this would be a very positive step and will demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to
a peaceful, prosperous South Asia.”

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2019

PAK US TIES , PM IN US
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