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Saturday, March 16, 2024

Prime Minister Khan Commences 3-Day Visit to Washington

As part of his austerity drive, PM Khan denied himself a lavish trip and instead, boarded a commercial transit-flight to Washington. He is expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon, and engage in multiple meetings with the US administration, media and newsmen, and businessmen from the US and overseas Pakistani communities.

News Desk |

Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Saturday, commenced his much talked-about three-day visit to Washington. The premier is visiting the US on an official invitation extended by the US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Khan is leading the delegation, which includes the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, and Special Assistant on Overseas Zulfi Bukhari amongst others. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived in Washington earlier.

This is Prime Minister Khan’s maiden visit to the United States after assuming his premiership. The trip had been planned for June, however, due to the ongoing debate on the federal budget, and other domestic engagement, it was postponed.

$60,000 US-Trip Budget

Prime Minister Imran Khan boarded a commercial transit flight of Qatar Airways, and during a stopover in Doha, CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker called on him. He was hosted by Al Baker during the brief stopover.

Before boarding the return-flight to Islamabad, the premier will have a meeting with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

The Premier’s decision to take a commercial flight is a part of his much-publicized agenda to “save taxpayer’s money” by spending a total of $60,000 throughout his entire trip. Imran Khan is scheduled to arrive in Washington by Saturday afternoon. Arrangements have been made for his stay at the Pakistani ambassador’s residence in the diplomatic enclave.

Read more: Does Saudi Crown Prince has a part to play in Khan’s US visit?

Imran Khan’s decision to take a commercial flight and avoid lavish hotel rooms are all part of his notable austerity drive. The PTI-government has given taxpayers multiple assurances that the trip budget will not exceed $60,000 worth of expenses incurred by the national exchequer, which is an insignificant amount when compared to the lavish foreign trips taken by the former leaderships.

During his three-day visit, Prime Minister Imran Khan will engage in wide-ranging discussions with US President Donald Trump and the US administration. The premier will also be hosted by the US Institute of Peace to discuss the spectrum of relations between the two nations.

Since President Donald Trump assumed office, the trust deficit and the “blame-game” between Washington and Islamabad remained intense. Trump exhibited an unjustly critical attitude towards Pakistan’s role, and remains dismissive of the unprecedented casualties and financial damages it has suffered during America’s war on terror, and its 18-yearlong military tryst in Afghanistan.

Arrangements have been made for his stay at the Pakistani ambassador’s residence in the diplomatic enclave.

Security assistance and military cooperation for Pakistan was ended, therefore, last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan took to twitter, in response to Trump’s callous accusations, reminding him of the services and sufferings of Pakistan.

Diplomatic sources reveal, that Islamabad remains hopeful that an Imran-Trump summit with improve bilateral ties and help in recreating the US-Pakistan ties.

Read more: PM Imran Khan meets CEO Qatar Airways in transit to US

PM Khan’s Engagements in the US

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while speaking to the press, shared Prime Minister Khan’s itinerary. He noted that the premier will reach Washington on Saturday afternoon, and will be hosted by Pakistani Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, at his residence in the diplomatic enclave.

Later in the evening, the premier will dine with key party members and officials who have played a key role in arranging his visit.

Read more: No Special Jet: Imran Khan will travel to US in ordinary plane

On Sunday, Prime Minister Khan is scheduled to have a meeting with a delegation led by the IMF Chief David Lipton, followed by a meeting with the President of the World Bank, David Malpass.

Later in the evening, the Prime Minister will be attending community event, organized at the Capital One Arena, in Washington. The event is expected to be attended by around 20,000 people, allowing the premier to interact with overseas Pakistanis.

The premier will be engaging with Pakistan-American investors, along with addressing an event at the US-Pakistani Business Council to apprise the business community of the benefits and opportunities of investing in Pakistan. The premier will also sit down for multiple media interviews, and he will dine with chosen corporate leaders from the US business sectors.

On Monday, the Premier will begin his official engagements with the US administration by arriving at the White House. Followed by a book signing ceremony, Imran Khan will attend two official sessions, a brief group meeting conducted in the Oval office, and an extended meeting in the cabinet room.

Diplomatic sources reveal, that Islamabad remains hopeful that an Imran-Trump summit with improve bilateral ties and help in recreating the US-Pakistan ties.

The Prime Minister will also sit down for a one-on-one meeting with President Trump. Trump will give Imran Khan a tour of the White House, allowing the two leaders more time “to mingle and chat”. On 23rd July, the US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will visit the Prime Minister.

Read more: Pakistan hopes Khan-Trump meeting will refresh visit

Later, the premier will address a discussion at the US Institute of Peace, followed by lunch with editors from various newspapers. Then, the premier is expected to have a meeting with the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate at Capitol Hill, followed by an address at the Pakistani American Caucus.

Before boarding the return-flight to Islamabad, the premier will have a meeting with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

The visit will be focused on promoting bilateral cooperation between the United States and Pakistan, and encourage trade, investment and economic engagement, alongside discussing regional peace and stability.