Blinken, Bilawal discuss Afghanistan, Pakistan's economic outlook

OIC Chief lauds Pakistan's efforts to combat, counter Islamophobia

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari discussed Pakistan's economy outlook and issues concerning Afghanistan in a latest telephonic conversation on Monday.

State Department's spokesperson Matthew Miller said Secretary Blinken reaffirmed a "productive US-Pakistan partnership" during the call.

Blinken was of the view that the Pakistani people had suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks and affirmed the United States' commitment to continued partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism.

Both the leaders also discussed the destabilising effects of Russia's war against Ukraine as well as the US and Pakistan's shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The call came hours after US Central Command (Centcom) chief, General Michael Erik Kurilla, discussed the regional security situation with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir during a meeting in Rawalpindi.

Apart from the regional security situation, matters of mutual interest and defence cooperation were also discussed, the military's media wing mentioned in a statement.

The United States supports a productive, democratic, and prosperous partnership with Pakistan. Had a good call with @BBhuttoZardari to discuss our support for Pakistan’s economic recovery and our shared regional concerns, including Afghanistan.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 24, 2023

Secretary Blinken underscored the United States steadfast commitment to the people of Pakistan, highlighting that the economic success of Pakistan remains a top priority for the US.

The secretary noted that the US would continue to engage with Pakistan through technical and development initiatives and through our robust trade and investment ties.

He also welcomed the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) approval of a programme to support Pakistan and encouraged continued reforms to promote economic recovery and prosperity.

The US top official stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law are central to the US-Pakistan relationship and these values will continue to guide this partnership forward.

OIC Chief lauds Pakistan's efforts to combat, counter Islamophobia

The OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has commended Pakistan's efforts to combat and counter Islamophobia and appreciated the leading role played by Pakistan in this regard at the UN.

He was talking to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari over the telephone on Tuesday.

The telephone call was made by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against the backdrop of recurring incidents of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and other European countries.

Condemning the despicable acts, the Foreign Minister briefed the OIC Secretary General about the resolution adopted by the Parliament of Pakistan in a joint sitting on 6 of this month and observance of 'Youm-e-Taqaddus Quran' across Pakistan on 7th of this month.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the urgency with which OIC is responding to these reprehensible acts, under the stewardship of the Secretary-General.

He commended the OIC for holding an Open-ended Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on 2 of this month, in Jeddah, and issuance of comprehensive Communiqué after the meeting.

The Foreign Minister also welcomed the OIC decision for holding Emergency Ministerial Meeting on this issue and briefed the Secretary-General about his telephone calls with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye in this regard.

The Foreign Minister assured the Secretary-General that Pakistan stands ready to actively participate in all OIC initiatives to arrest the reprehensible tide of Islamophobia.

Bilawal, EU High Representative discuss revival of Black Sea Grain Initiative

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephonic conversation with European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest.

Expressing Pakistan’s concerns over the expiry of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), the foreign minister said that food inflation and food security-related challenges would adversely impact developing countries like Pakistan which were already under economic pressure.

Bilawal said that he had also spoken to his Ukrainian and Turkish counterparts on the subject. He hoped that efforts aimed at reviving the initiative would come to fruition through dialogue and constructive engagement accommodating the concerns of all parties.

The foreign minister requested the EU High Representative to play his role to help find a solution that would allow the renewal of BSGI, and conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to collective efforts in that regard.

Bilawal and the EU’s High Representative agreed to remain engaged on the issue and other matters of mutual interest.