Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry in talks with US officials on aid suspension

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the recent suspension of US aid to Pakistan, following an order from President Biden. The ministry’s spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, stated that the government is closely reviewing the situation and is in contact with US officials regarding the aid issue.

During a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Khan explained that for years, Pakistan and the United States have collaborated on various programs across different sectors, and the two countries are continuing discussions on the matter. The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan aims to strengthen its economic ties with the US, highlighting the ongoing cooperation in several areas, despite the suspension of aid to all countries for 90 days.

Khan also refrained from commenting on US-India relations, noting that Pakistan’s relationship with the US is strong and continues to improve. He added that business delegations from the US continue to visit Pakistan, describing them as prominent business figures. These visits are part of normal business exchanges and are not coordinated through the Foreign Ministry.

In addition to the US aid situation, the spokesperson updated the media on the repatriation of 22 Pakistani nationals stranded in Morocco following a tragic accident. He mentioned that efforts are underway to bring the survivors back to Pakistan, with coordination between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Moroccan authorities. Some of the individuals have already been returned, and more are expected to follow soon.

The spokesperson also condemned recent violent incidents in Sudan and Israel, including the attack on a Saudi hospital in Sudan and the Israeli aggression in the West Bank, expressing Pakistan’s strong stance against such actions.

Looking ahead, Khan shared that a bilateral political consultation meeting will take place between Pakistan and Doha on February 5, 2025. The Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan will lead the Pakistani delegation to this important meeting.