ISLAMABAD, AUG 14 (DNA) – US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif today to felicitate on the 70th Independence Day anniversary of Pakistan.

He conveyed the best wishes on behalf of the US Government and the American people to the Government and people of Pakistan.

He also congratulated the Foreign Minister on assumption of office as Foreign Minister of Pakistan and expressed his desire to work with him for achieving common objectives.

The Foreign Minister thanked Secretary Tillersonand said that the call on the 70th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day was an apt reminder of the long history of relations between the two countries.

He added that the United States had been a partner in Pakistan’s journey of development, both in the socio-economic and defence sector.

The Foreign Minister said he would strive in his new capacity to strengthening partnership with the United States. He added that the current leadership of Pakistan was committed to establishing Pakistan’s vital relations with the US.

He underscored the need to build a dynamic and diverse relationship underpinned by mutual trust, sincerity and confidence.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan would benefit the most if peace and stability was achieved in Afghanistan as the success and sustainability of Pakistan’s economic reforms depended upon a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

He expressed Pakistan’s willingness to work with the US once the policy review on Afghanistan is unveiled. He emphasized the political settlement for conflict to the Afghanistan as common objective of Pakistan and the US.

Secretary Tillerson extended an invitation to the Foreign Minister to visit the United States to carry on the conversation. The Foreign Minister also invited Secretary Tillerson to visit Pakistan. Secretary Tillerson accepted the invitation.=DNA

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