WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the United States to play an effective role in bringing peace and stability to the entire South Asian region, instead of focusing only on Afghanistan.

In a series of meetings with senior US officials in Washington on Monday and Tuesday, Mr Dar stressed the need for the United States to play the role of a facilitator of peace in the region.

Giving a brief description of his meeting on Monday with US Acting Deputy Secretary of State Tom Shannon, Mr Dar said this was “a very productive meeting” and this and other meetings with US officials enabled both sides to discuss and understand each other’s concerns.

“We discussed the security situation, the US concerns about the current situation in the region and those of Pakistan,” he said. “We have clear goals and want a peaceful neighborhood,” he said at a public event at the Pakistan Embassy on Monday night. “We want the US to play at least a facilitator’s role because what’s happening in Kashmir is a clear violation of human rights,” he said. “The US should facilitate peace not only in Afghanistan but in the entire region, as it will help stabilise the region.”

The finance minister, in Washington to attend the spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF, utilised his stay to engage with US officials for exchange of views on important bilateral matters and regional issues.

An embassy press release said that in these meetings, Mr Dar underlined the importance of carrying forward a mutually beneficial and close relationship between Pakistan and the United States.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2017