Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan John Hoover on Wednesday called on prime minister-designate Imran Khan here at latter's Bani Gala residence and congratulated him on his victory in July 25 general election. Khan and Hoover exchanged views on Pakistan-US relations and matters of mutual interest. The US envoy expressed willingness to improve relations between Pakistan and the United States.
During the meeting, Khan said his party was adamant to establish good relations with the US based on mutual trust and respect. "We view Pakistan-US relations in terms of trade and economic matters to be significant," said Khan.
Commenting on Afghanistan, Khan said that a stable Afghanistan was in the interests of the region. He said that there had been many ups and downs in Pakistan-US relations due to trust deficit between the both countries.
"It is pleasant to see voices raising from the US also in favour of a political solution for Afghan war. War and use of military force have never been the solution to Afghanistan's situation," Khan added.
He said Pakistan always wanted a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, adding he had always pushed for a political solution to Afghan war, as military might was no solution to the problem, which the US had also started acknowledging.
Later in the day, Imran Khan accepted an invitation to visit Iran extended by President Hassan Rouahni during a telephonic conversation.
A statement issued here by PTI central secretariat stated that the Iranian President congratulated the prime minister-in-waiting on winning July 25 general elections and invited him to visit Iran which he accepted. Both leaders exchanged best wishes and love for the people of both neighbouring countries, it said, adding the foreign ministers of both the countries would finalise the visit of Imran Khan after transfer of power set to be completed by month-end.
Last week, Khan conveyed to Tehran's envoy Mehdi Honardoost, who paid him a visit at his Bani Gala residence that the country wanted to play a constructive and positive role between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
There has been a longstanding rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran with both sides on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East. Honardoost told Khan that Tehran was ready to work with Islamabad in regional development and wanted to foster trade with Islamabad.
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