Pakistan Seeks Stronger Ties with Trump Administration for Regional Stability

As Pakistan expressed hope for a stronger connection under the Trump administration, the Foreign Office emphasized on Thursday that “non-interference” should be the basis of Pakistan-United States relationships.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for the Foreign Office offered her thoughts on Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election during the weekly media briefing. She expressed Pakistan’s expectation under the new administration that the United States would “further strengthen and broaden” in all areas with longtime relations.

Ms. Baloch pointed out that Donald Trump has previously received congratulations from President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on his election as the 47th President of the United States. She emphasized Pakistan’s wish for successful and helpful collaboration with the United States.

She dismissed as “speculative” regarding the claims that Trump would put pressure on Pakistan on internal issues including the release of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan after he took office.

She said, “Pakistan and the United States are old friends and partners, and we will continue to pursue our relationship based on mutual respect, confidence, and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs.”

The Biden administration expressed concern about claimed irregularities in Pakistan’s elections earlier this year and called for a transparent investigation, despite not responding to requests from US Congressional leaders to pressure Islamabad for the release of political prisoners in Pakistan.

A resolution passed by the US House of Representatives in June that demanded a “full and independent” inquiry into potential election irregularities was seen by Islamabad as an attempt to “interfere” in its domestic affairs.