ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday said US President Donald Trump had promised that he would soon pay a visit to Pakistan.

In a statement received here on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ongoing visit to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum, the foreign minister said the meeting between the US president and PM Khan on Tuesday was very constructive which lasted about an hour in which the prime minister raised certain important issues.

The foreign minister is among those accompanying the prime minister.

While talking to Samaa TV, Mr Qureshi quoted Mr Trump as saying the US leader would not like to attach his visit to Pakistan with his imminent trip to India. However, the president indicated that he would certainly like to visit Pakistan whether it is in the near future or after the US elections.

Imran asks for US leader’s support to meet FATF requirements

In Wednesday’s statement, the foreign minister said during the meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Khan raised the issue of Financial Action Task Force and informed the former about the steps taken by Pakistan to meet the FATF’s requirements.

The president was urged to support Pakistan over the issue.

The prime minister also spoke about the situation in India-held Kashmir and the US president held out the assurance that he would raise the issue. Mr Trump expressed concerns over the situation in occupied Kashmir and said the issue should be resolved.

PM Khan asked the president about improvement in the travel advisory and also discussed trade between the two countries. It was agreed during the meeting that a US trade delegation would visit Pakistan.

Mr Qureshi said President Trump was also informed about Pakistan’s concerns over the issue of Iran and the negative impact it could cause on Pakistan.

The Afghan conflict and moving the peace process forward also came under discussion, he added.

The president expressed his confidence and liking for the prime minister, the foreign minister said, adding that the meeting took place in a very cordial manner which was also attended by the members of the US delegation.

During the meeting with PM Khan, it may be recalled, President Trump had said that the United States has never been as close with Pakistan as it is right now.

The US president during a joint press talk with PM Khan on Tuesday avoided responding concretely to a question whether he would also visit Pakistan as he was due to visit India. “Well, we are meeting right now. I wanted to say hello,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2020