WASHINGTON – Islamabad on Monday called for a sustained Pak-US strategic partnership, with Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh arguing that the past periods of estrangement due to non-economic considerations signified that a relationship based on strong mutual economic interests would help build long-term ties.
At an interaction with American intellectuals at Woodrow Wilson Center, Shaikh said the economic relations between the two nations had survived vicissitudes of the world and regional politics, but still could lead to enormous gains on both sides if the existing potential was realised through sustained cooperation.
“Pakistan-US relationship has gained significance that it never had before. It is seen as important for the strategic security of the region and the whole world.”
“The relationship should be (based) on more solid footing, should be more sustained, which is not subject or vulnerable to shocks,” Shaikh at the interaction. Director Asia Programme Robert Hathaway conducted the discussion.
He said both Washington and Islamabad appeared to have realised that they were “entering a new era” and said one of the reasons for variations in the bilateral relations in the past was it was “founded on non-economic considerations”. “This is one of the lessons we have to draw and this is an area which we have to focus on.
I think we are trying to remedy that and we will see how it unfolds.” He cited sustained level of commerce between Pakistan and the US over decades, American direct investment in Pakistan and inflows of remittances from the US. Later, the Pakistani delegation led by Hafeez Sheikh met IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan Adnan Mazerie in connection with the ongoing talks between Pakistan and IMF for the release of next tranche. In the meeting, issues related to the current economic situation in the country, pledges with the IMF and their fulfilment along with targets’ achievements were discussed.
