By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, sources disclosed.
The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the US advisor conveyed President Donald Trump’s appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts in combating terrorism.
Foreign Minister Dar congratulated Waltz on assuming office and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its broad-based relations with the United States under the Trump administration.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to counterterrorism cooperation with the US, Dar also welcomed President Trump’s decision to retrieve American military equipment left behind in Afghanistan.
Both sides expressed their resolve to enhance collaboration in the fields of information technology, energy, and minerals.
Additionally, they agreed to continue discussions on trade, investment, climate change, and health as part of a broader agenda in the coming days.
Earlier, The Trump administration released $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, mostly for security and counternarcotic programs, according to a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters that included only limited humanitarian relief.
The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, focused on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, received 17 exemptions worth more than $30.4 million, the list showed.
Also released was $397 million for a US-backed program in nuclear-armed Pakistan that a congressional aide said monitored Islamabad’s use of US-made F-16 fighter jets to ensure they are employed for counterterrorism operations and not against rival India.
President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid shortly after taking office on January 20, halting funding for everything from programs that fight starvation and deadly diseases to providing shelters for millions of displaced people across the globe.
