ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet United States President Donald Trump in Washington DC on July 22, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, putting to rest months of speculation about a possible meeting between the two leaders.
“The agenda of the meeting is being developed through diplomatic channels and a detailed curtain raiser will be issued before the visit,” Foreign Office spokesperson Dr. Muhammad Faisal told journalists at a weekly press briefing.
Last year, Trump accused Pakistan of not doing a “damn thing” for the United States despite billions of dollars in US aid. The remarks threatened to further worsen already fragile relations between Islamabad and Washington, on-off allies who have repeatedly clashed about the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s alleged support for Islamist militants, which Islamabad denies.
In February, Trump said the United States had developed a “much better” relationship and may set up some meetings with Pakistan.
This will be Khan’s first visit to the US since coming to power in a July 2018 general election. He accepted the invitation to visit Washington, the foreign office said in a statement, adding that “the focus will be to refresh the bilateral relationship.”
“I think Imran Khan will present Pakistan’s narrative, describing the challenges of his country and the gravity of the situation in the region, stressing on good relations that Pakistan and the United States have enjoyed in the past,” defense analyst Asad Mehmood said. “Both sides will attempt to narrow the trust deficit”.
Mehmood said that the $60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor would likely come under discussion, especially since the US and China were currently engaged in a trade war.
International relations expert Qamar Cheema said Islamabad needed to revisit its bilateral relationship with Washington DC and try to turn into from a “transactional” one into a “strategic and economic partnership.”
PM Khan will meet President Trump on July 22: Foreign Office
PM Khan will meet President Trump on July 22: Foreign Office
- This will be Khan’s first visit to the US since coming to power in July 2018
- The focus will be to "refresh the bilateral relationship", foreign office says
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
