A fresh row has erupted between the U.S. and Pakistan on the issue of terrorism following a telephone call by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan, as Islamabad took exception to the American version of the conversation. Mr. Pompeo on Thursday spoke to Mr. Khan for the first time after the cricketer-turned-politician assumed office last week and sought “decisive action” against all terrorists operating in Pakistan, the U.S. State Department said.
The U.S. has long been frustrated with Pakistan’s overt and covert support to the Afghan Taliban and other terror groups, forcing the Trump administration to warn Islamabad and slash military aid to the country.
State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Thursday in a statement that Mr. Pompeo, in his talks with Mr. Khan, discussed the issue of terrorism and Pakistan’s vital role in promoting the peace process in war-torn Afghanistan.
“Secretary Michael R Pompeo spoke today with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and wished him success. Secretary Pompeo expressed his willingness to work with the new government towards a productive bilateral relationship,” she said in the statement.
Soon after Ms. Nauert’s statement, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said that “Pakistan takes exception to the factually incorrect statement issued by the US State Department on today’s phone call between Prime Minister Khan and Secretary Pompeo”.
“There was no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan. This should be immediately corrected,” Mr. Faisal tweeted.
Ms. Nauert on Friday said Mr. Pompeo’s telephonic discussion with Mr. Khan was good and the U.S. stands by its earlier statement.
“In the readout, the secretary notes that he spoke with the new prime minister and expressed his willingness to work with the new government toward a productive bilateral relationship. They had a good call,” she said. “That may surprise some of you, but they had a good call. Pakistan is an important partner to the United States. We hope to forge a good, productive working relationship with the new civilian government,” she said.
She went on to say that based on her understanding, “the beginning of the call or the call itself was a good call, and a good discussion toward our working with the new government and the new administration”.
When asked again by a reporter if the U.S. government continues to stand by the readout, she said: “We stand by our readout.”
The Pakistani media this week reported that Mr. Pompeo is likely to visit Islamabad in the first week of September to hold talks with newly-elected Prime Minister Khan.
Mr. Pompeo, who is expected in Islamabad on September 5, would be the first foreign dignitary to meet Mr. Khan, Dawn reported, quoting the diplomatic and official sources.
The relations between Pakistan and the U.S. nose-dived after President Donald Trump in January accused Islamabad of giving nothing to Washington but “lies and deceit” and providing “safe haven” to terrorists.
The U.S. Congress also passed a bill to slash Pakistan’s defence aid to $150 million, significantly below the historic level of more than $one billion per year.
Mr. Khan has been critical of the U.S. drone strikes against terrorists in Pakistan as well as along the country’s border with Afghanistan.
In his victory speech last month, Mr. Khan said he wants a balanced relation between Pakistan and America which should be mutually beneficial, not one sided.
