ISLAMABAD: Influential US Senator Lindsey Graham met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Monday to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues, including peace efforts in Afghanistan.
“Prime Minister said that broad-based and enduring partnership between Pakistan and the US was important for peace, prosperity, and development in the region,” the premier’s office said in a statement.
Senator Graham chairs the US Senate’s Judiciary Committee and is a senior member of the Armed Services, Appropriations and Budget Committees of the Senate.
Khan urged Graham to continue to play his role in transforming Pakistan-US relations by intensifying bilateral economic cooperation.
This is Graham’s second visit to Pakistan in 2019.
He thanked the premier for consistent support in the Afghan peace process and reiterated his desire for a broader bilateral relationship with a particular focus on economic cooperation, enhanced market access, and increased investments.
“He appreciated Pakistan’s achievements in mainstreaming the tribal areas through development work. He also commended Pakistan on border fencing initiative,” the statement read.
PM Khan said “Pakistan would continue to play its facilitating role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process,” the statement read.
In the meeting, Khan also apprised the senator of “continuing atrocities” in Indian-administered Kashmir, as well as the Indian government’s “discriminatory policies against minorities,” as he called for the US “to prevent further deterioration of peace and stability in the region.”
Graham also met with Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and, according to the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), discussed “regional security, including Afghan Reconciliation Process,” ISPR said in a statement on Twitter, adding that the senator also “acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts toward regional peace and stability.”
Analyst and political commentator Zahid Hussain told Arab News that “Lindsay Graham is very close to President Trump and has played an important role in improving relations between Pakistan and the US.”
According to Hussain, Graham’s “visit is significant as Washington and Taliban are back to the negotiating table,” and “Pakistan’s role will be very important in any peace agreement.”
Pakistan’s former foreign secretary, Salman Bashir, said the senator is a friend of Pakistan and is in US President Donald Trump’s close circle, who has been advocating deeper cooperative ties with Pakistan and is involved in “finding a political solution to issues related to Afghanistan.”
“His conversations with Pakistani leadership are particularly important for renewing bilateral relations and stabilizing regional peace,” Bashir said
Senator Graham in Pakistan to discuss broader economic ties, regional peace
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Senator Graham in Pakistan to discuss broader economic ties, regional peace
- Senator Lindsey Graham acknowledges Pakistan’s efforts toward regional stability
- Graham is considered a friend of Pakistan, wants more economic cooperation
Islamabad reviews preparations for 2026 OIC ministerial conference on women
- The conference, held every three to four years, brings together OIC ministers to discuss progress on women’s rights
- Pakistan’s foreign minister directs authorities finalize arrangements, priorities in coordination with OIC Secretariat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday presided over a meeting to review progress regarding the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in July, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The conference, held approximately every three to four years, brings together ministers from OIC member states to review progress on women’s rights, share national policies and adopt new frameworks.
This year’s conference is slated to be held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on July 12-13, according to a schedule of 2026 meetings shared on the OIC website.
“The meeting evaluated progress and emphasized timely coordination to ensure a successful event,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
“FM directed all relevant ministries and stakeholders to finalize logistical arrangements and thematic priorities in close collaboration with the OIC Secretariat.”
Previous ministerial meetings have focused on themes such as women’s economic empowerment, combating gender-based violence, and improving access to education and health care.
The exact agenda for the 2026 meeting has yet to be announced.
The previous OIC ministerial conference on women was held in Cairo in 2021 and focused on women’s empowerment, protection frameworks, and socio-economic participation.
