US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar meets Imran Khan at Bani Gala

United States Congresswoman Ilhan Omar met a number of Pakistan officials on Wednesday including premier Shehbaz Sharif and former prime minister Imran Khan.

In her meeting with Khan at Bani Gala, Omar discussed Islamophobia and other issues, senior PTI leader Shireen Mazari said in a Twitter post.

“Ilhan expressed her admiration for Imran Khan and his position on and work against Islamophobia globally,” Mazari wrote.

The ousted premier also appreciated Omar's courageous principled stance on issues.

Meeting with PM and President

Earlier in the day, Omar, along with the delegation, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

The premier warmly welcomed Ilhan on her first-ever visit to Pakistan and hoped that it would lead to deepening people-to-people ties and strengthening exchanges between the Parliament of Pakistan and the US Congress.

The prime minister underscored Pakistan valued its long-standing relationship with the United States and wanted to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, and equality.

He highlighted that constructive engagement between the two countries could help promote peace, security, and development in the region.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest including Pakistan-US bilateral relations as well as regional situations were discussed.

The prime minister also highlighted serious human rights violations in Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and stressed the importance of peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, enabling the region to realise its economic potential and promote social progress.

PM Shehbaz emphasised that a peaceful and stable South Asian region can focus on its growth and development.

Earlier, the US Congresswoman also called on President Dr Arif Alvi at the President House, Islamabad.

During the meeting, President Alvi appreciated Omar's outstanding role in upholding Muslim values, fighting against Islamophobia, and in the cause of Palestinians and Kashmiris.

Meeting with NA speaker

The US congresswoman also called on National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf at the Parliament House, a press release from the NA Secretariat said.

During the meeting, the speaker maintained that relations between Pakistan and the US are vital for regional progress and development.

“Enhancing Parliament to Parliament contacts would strengthen these relations between both countries,” the communique quoted Ashraf as saying.

“Both countries are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations and he expressed his desire to strengthen these ties for promoting mutual interests,” he added.

The speaker said that the visit of a US Congress delegation would pave way for strengthening ties between both countries.

According to the presser, Omar appreciated the warm welcome she received upon her arrival in Pakistan.

“The US values high its ties with Pakistan as both countries had been partners in progress since last seven decades,” she said. “USA would continue to support Pakistan, especially in the fields of education, health and women empowerment.”

Congresswoman Omar is currently on her first visit to Pakistan from April 20 to April 24. Apart from having meetings with leadership in Islamabad, she will visit Lahore and Azad Jammu, and Kashmir to have a greater understanding of Pakistan’s cultural, social, political, and economic potential.