Photo by Umar John, NEXT TV
The United States Institute of Peace will host a conversation with Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari January 30 on US-Pakistan relations under the new Donald Trump Administration assuming charge this week.
“This month’s visit of Mr. (Bilawal) Bhutto Zardari to Washington represents an opportunity for broader dialogue between Pakistan’s political establishment and the new U.S. administration, Congress, and the policy community,” the think tank said.
Bilawal Bhutto, the Institute notes, recently announced plans to contest a by-election and join the National Assembly.
The step will “elevate his role in the political opposition, and that foreshadows a busy political season leading toward Pakistan’s elections next year,” the USIP says.
Pakistan remains a key country for the United States and President-elect Trump’ had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in November. The contact underscored Pakistan’s continuing importance to U.S. interests in a stable South Asia.
“The new U.S. administration can expect to see this vital country hold national elections within 18 months.”
The discussion, co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, will address Pakistan’s serious internal security challenges; debate among Pakistani civilian and military leaders over the country’s domestic counterterrorism initiatives; and Pakistan’s broader political and democratic dynamics. As a new U.S. administration and Congress begin work, Bilawal Bhutto also will share his perspective on the two countries’ relationship, according to the eventt hosts.
