News Desk |
United States (US) diplomat Alice Wells arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday on a one-day visit and is expected to meet high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials in Islamabad. According to Government of Pakistan official Twitter account, Wells will discuss “Pakistan-US ties, regional situation and Afghan peace process”.
The purpose of the meetings between Wells and Pakistani officials will be to follow up on Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this month “with a view to further strengthen bilateral relations”, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal had said yesterday.
The countries also agreed to enhance cooperation over CPEC which has been labeled as a game-changer for Pakistan by PM Khan.
Wells is also expected to meet Finance Minister Asad Umar. Her visit comes ahead of a meeting of regional countries on Afghan peace, involving Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which is being hosted by Moscow on Friday.
A Taliban delegation of will also join the talks. The arrival of Ms. Wells comes on the heels of a successful visit to China by Prime Minister Imran Khan. Leaders of Pakistan and China agreed to enhance economic and military ties with China agreeing to bail out Pakistan from its simmering economic crisis.
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Both the countries also agreed to enhance cooperation over CPEC which has been labeled as a game-changer for Pakistan by PM Khan. Analysts view this visit to China by PM Khan as a ‘change of hearts’ in Islamabad after USA showed cold shoulder to Pakistan after accusing it of being a ‘hot-bed’ and a ‘state-sponsor’ of terrorism.
These accusations by USA only exacerbated the relations between once close allies. Islamabad and Washington doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to ‘normalize ties as USA is courting India to counter China while Pakistan is looking for alternatives to fill the vacuum left by USA’s refusal to support Pakistan economically and diplomatically.
United States (US) diplomat Alice Wells visit is being considered by analysts as ‘not so important’ and neither the media nor the government seems ‘enthusiastic’. However, it is vital for both Pakistan and the United States to enhance ties in order to ensure peace in Afghanistan and beyond.