WAHINGTON: The United States has welcomed the staff-level agreement between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a $3 billion bailout package.
During a press conference, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States continue supporting Islamabad. The State Department official did not deny the reports that the United States played a key role in helping Pakistan to secure the deal.
“What I would say is that we stand by the Pakistani people during these difficult times. We welcome the progress that has been made between the IMF and Pakistan in having reached a staff-level agreement,” he said. “Our support for the country’s economic success is unwavering.”
He said the US will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical engagements and continue to strengthen its trade and investment ties, all of which are priorities for the bilateral relationship
“We believe Pakistan has a lot of hard work ahead to be on a long-term sustainable path to economic recovery and prosperity, but we will continue to stand by them through that process.”
The spokesperson was asked about Pakistan’s minister of state for foreign affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar’s statement that Islamabad had no appetite to pick a fight in the growing global rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
He maintained that Pakistan is not being pressured to pick sides between US and China and that relations with Islamabad “build on our close people-to-people ties”.
“No, the United States does not ask Pakistan or any other country to choose between the United States and the PRC [People’s Republic of China] or to choose between the United States and any other country,” the spokesperson said.
Miller said that relations with Pakistan are based on close people-to-people ties, and the US will continue to seek ways to expand its partnership and economic ties with the South Asian nation.
“Our economic cooperation with Pakistan reflects our vision for the region as one of — comprised of nations that are independent, strong, and prosperous. And our relationships are based on a spirit of respect and partnership.”
