KARACHI: State Department official Jon Bass led a delegation to Pakistan this week to discuss bilateral and regional matters, including Washington’s support for Pakistan’s economic stability, the US embassy said on Wednesday.
The US State Department had confirmed this week that Bass, who is the US acting under secretary for political affairs, would meet senior Pakistani government officials to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues on Apr. 30.
“He met with senior Pakistani government officials to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues, including US support for Pakistan’s economic stability and bilateral priorities for regional prosperity and security,” US Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery said in a statement.
Montgomery said Bass underscored Washington’s commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous future for both nations.
Pakistan’s relationship with Washington has experienced fluctuations over the decades, characterized by periods of close partnership and notable estrangement.
Despite Islamabad’s recent initiatives to enhance and deepen its ties with Washington, until recently, President Joe Biden’s administration had remained reluctant to engage with Pakistan’s top leadership.
Ties between the two countries have improved since former prime minister Imran Khan’s government was ousted via a parliamentary vote on Apr. 2022. Khan had accused Washington of colluding with his political rivals to oust him from power via a “foreign conspiracy.” Washington has consistently denied the allegations.
Cash-strapped Pakistan has been grappling with an economic crisis that reached its peak last year when inflation climbed to a staggering 38 percent and the country’s foreign exchange reserves plummeted to alarmingly low levels.
Pakistan views the US as a key ally that can help alleviate its economic crisis considering its huge influence within the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF’s executive board this week completed the second review of a Stand-by Arrangement (SBA) it reached with Islamabad last year. The last-gasp deal helped Pakistan avoid a sovereign default.