US secretary of state likely to visit Pak in Sept to hold talks with Imran Khan

Press Trust of India  |  Islamabad 

US is likely to visit in the first week of September to hold talks with on issues of mutual interests, a media report said today.

Khan, 65, was sworn in as Pakistan's 22nd at a simple ceremony in yesterday.

The US has welcomed the swearing-in of as new Prime Minister and said that it was looking forward to work with Pakistan's new civilian government to promote peace and prosperity in the country and in the region.

The relations between and the US nose-dived after in January accused of giving nothing to but "lies and deceit" and providing "safe haven" to terrorists.

The US Congress also passed a bill to slash Pakistan's defence aid to USD 150 million, significantly below the historic level of more than USD one billion per year.

Citing its sources, the paper said that during his talks with Pakistani officials, Pompeo may focus on two major issues: efforts to revive once close ties between the two countries and Pakistan's support for a US-led move to jump-starting the Afghan peace process.

Alice Wells, who heads the Bureau for South Asian affairs at the State Department, may also accompany Pompeo, the paper added.

In recent statements, US officials have expressed the desire to restore their once close ties with

In her speech at the earlier this week, Wells not only welcomed Khan's election but also expressed the desire to work with his government for resolving difficult issues.

Wells noted that the new leader had also recognised the importance of US-Pakistan relationship in his public statements and in his first meeting with officials in Islamabad.

In his victory speech last month, said he wants a balanced relation between Pakistan and which should be mutually beneficial, not one sided.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sun, August 19 2018. 13:36 IST