It has long called for dialogue between neighbours.
PM said he was ready to talk with Indian on “serious” issues.
The US State Department reaffirmed its backing for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan to address bilateral concerns.
In a recent press briefing on Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stressed that supporting such communication has been the United States’ longstanding position.
“As we have long said, we support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on issues of concern. That has long been our position,” Miller asserted during the briefing in response to a question about Pakistan’s willingness to engage in talks if India addresses their mutual problems.
Regarding the upcoming general election in Pakistan, the spokesperson refrained from taking any position on behalf of the United States in favor of a particular candidate. This comes amid reports suggesting that the establishment of Pakistan is allegedly attempting to disqualify former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is considered a popular leader.
Miller clarified the US stance, stating, “The US does not take positions on behalf of the United States supporting one candidate or another in other countries. We support free and open and fair elections.”
Earlier,
On Tuesday, in his bid to further regional development, PM Shehbaz reiterated his willingness to collaborate with India, emphasising that Pakistan harbours “nothing against anyone”.
Despite a history of strained ties between the two nations, marred by three wars since their independence in 1947, the premier seeks to promote valuable engagement.
However, bilateral relations have remained seriously impacted since India’s decision to revoke the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, leading to a virtual standstill in diplomatic interactions between the two countries.
“We are prepared to talk with everyone, even with our neighbour, provided that the neighbour is serious to talk serious matters on the table because war is no more an option,” PM Shehbaz said.
He mentioned that the country has fought three wars with India in the last 75 years, which only resulted in increased poverty, unemployment, and lack of resources to finance education, health, and well-being of the people.
He stressed that this is not the way to adopt, but to fight through economic competition in the region.
“Because if there is any nuclear flashpoint, who will live to tell what happened? So (war) is not an option,” he said, insisting that while Pakistan understands the issue, it is also equally important for India to realise the same.
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