US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar started off her four-day visit to Pakistan with a series of meetings with the Government and Opposition leaders.
Omar’s previously scheduled visit to Pakistan takes place a week after a new Government, headed by industrialist leader Shehbaz Sharif, has taken charge in Islamabad.
Sharif has replaced Imran Khan, a populist leader and former cricketer, who was voted out in a no-confidence move in the lower house of the Parliament, called the National Assembly. Khan has suggested that Washington backed his ouster since he followed an independent foreign policy, particularly on the Ukraine war. The United States has strongly rejected the allegation.
The Democratic lawmaker met both Prime Minister Sharif and Imran Khan.
One of the first American Muslims to be elected to the US House of Representatives, Omar was also received at the President House by the key South Asian country’s constitutional head President Arif Alvi.
Besides, she also met with new Speaker of the National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament, and the newly sworn-in Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar.
Welcoming Omar, Prime Minister Sharif said Islamabad valued its long-standing relationship with the United States and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust and equality.
Sharif noted that constructive engagement between the two countries could help promote peace, security and development in the region.
He also expressed warm appreciation for the US Congresswoman’s courageous political struggle.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Congresswoman Omar thanked the prime minister and hoped that her visit to Pakistan would help strengthen ties between Pakistan and the United States Congress.
The US lawmaker will stay in Pakistan till April 24 and is scheduled to visit historic city of Lahore and Pakistan-administered part of Kashmir, known in Pakistan as Azad Kashmir.
Speaking about Kashmir, Sharif, who has since his inception expressed the desire for peaceful ties with India, pointed out serious human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir.
He also emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in the economic interests of South Asia.
During her meeting with former prime minister Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence, Omar discussed Islamophobia and other related issues.
She applauded the former prime minister’s work for Muslims globally, according to his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The US lawmaker renewed Washington’s continued support for Pakistan in fields like education, health and women’s empowerment.
