ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said relations between Pakistan and the United States should not be viewed through the “lens of China” or the “prism of Afghanistan” since they stand “on their own.”
At a diplomatic ceremony to celebrate the 75 years of relations between Pakistan and the US, the prime minister declared, “Let bygones be bygones.”
“As I stated, your [US] side will want to say a lot […] but as long as we reestablish our partnership with real and serious communication, I can tell you that nothing will go wrong,” he remarked.
According to PM Shehbaz, ties between Pakistan and the US “reached their zenith of glory but there were also significant dips” over the course of the lengthy 75-year trip. “We are aware of the causes, but now is not the appropriate moment to discuss them.
We want to rebuild and reset these interactions back to normal on the basis of trust, respect, and mutual understanding, he stated in his speech.
Shehbaz emphasized that the two nations have to find ways to advance and thaw their relationship to the levels witnessed in the past.
The prime minister lamented that prior aid from the US totaling $32 billion was not used “in the correct direction” when discussing the country’s support and assistance throughout the years.
“We would have broken our beg bowl if we hadn’t employed this help in a well-planned and carefully supervised [manner]. Then, though, there is no use grieving over broken bowls.
Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan now desired to stand on its own two feet.
The prime minister also recalled meeting US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his visit to New York, who gave him assurances of solidarity for the flood-affected people.
He continued by stating that this year’s floods in Pakistan were a “calamity beyond measures.”
