ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Islamabad sought to reset Pak-US relations with a focus on expanding bilateral cooperation in place of Afghanistan-centered relations over the last several years.  

Addressing a press conference in Washington ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said PM Imran Khan would hold wide ranging talks with the US leadership during his visit to the United States on bilateral, regional and international issues of importance.

“The prime minister will hold talks with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday and would highlight the points of convergence where cooperation could be mutually beneficial. Later, the two sides will also have extended discussions at the White House,” he said.

He said Pakistan wanted to take forward an environment of trust and cooperation that had developed between the two countries from a low point in the ties.

The foreign minister said Pakistan relations with the US had shown a gradual improvement under the ruling government which had cooperated with the Trump Administration’s goal of resolving the Afghan conflict through negotiations involving the Taliban.

Imran Khan Saturday left for Washington on his three-day official visit to the United States on the invitation of President Donald Trump.

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Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant on Overseas Zulfi Bukhari and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa accompanied the premier while Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had reached Washington earlier as part of the entourage.

It is Imran Khan’s first visit to America after assuming his office.

Meanwhile, CEO of Qatar Airways Akbar Albaker called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Doha, Qatar on Saturday morning during transit to Washington.