WASHINGTON: The Biden administration wants to stay engaged with Pakistan, particularly on the Afghan peace process, despite an unexpected bitterness over the acquittal order for a terrorism suspect, Ahmed Omer Sheikh, says a US State Department statement released on Friday afternoon.

The readout of a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier on Friday, started with Washington’s concern over the Supreme Court’s order to release Omer Sheikh but quickly moved to the other key issue — the Afghan peace process.

“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister discussed the importance of continued US-Pakistan cooperation on the Afghan peace process, support for regional stability, and the potential to expand our trade and commercial ties,” said the readout.

According to this document, the discussion on the acquittal order focused on “ensuring accountability for convicted terrorist Ahmed Omer Saeed Sheikh and others responsible for the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl”.

The secretary “reinforced US concern about the Pakistani Supreme Court ruling and potential release of these prisoners,” it added.

The brief statement, however, focused on an issue that troubled the Trump administration and remained a main concern for the new administration as well — Afghanistan.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021