Pakistan-US Relations
LONDON: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has expressed his optimism about the future of Pakistan’s relationship with the United States following the recent victory of President-elect Donald Trump in the US elections.
Speaking to the media during a press briefing with his daughter, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, after their arrival in London from Geneva, Nawaz emphasized that the long-standing ties between Pakistan and the US have remained positive.
He expressed hope that these relations would not only continue to be stable but also improve under Trump’s leadership.
Responding to a question about Trump’s victory, Nawaz reiterated that maintaining strong relations with the United States is crucial for Pakistan and added that, with Trump’s leadership, there was optimism that these ties would strengthen further.
In addition to fostering ties with the US, Nawaz also highlighted the importance of maintaining good relations with neighboring countries, stressing that positive diplomatic engagement with Pakistan’s neighbors could also contribute to regional stability.
On a different note, Nawaz also touched on the issue of Pakistan-India relations, particularly in the context of cricket.
He proposed that the Indian cricket team should visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, believing that such a move could help improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Nawaz suggested that the time would come when India would send its cricket team to Pakistan, as there seemed to be no significant obstacle preventing this.
Nawaz also expressed frustration over the rising smog pollution in Punjab, pointing to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s failure to fulfill promises such as the “Billion Tree Tsunami” project.
He questioned where these promised trees, jobs, and dams were, and criticized PTI for the lack of any concrete projects during their time in power.
He accused the PTI of promoting a culture of misbehaviour and hooliganism, both in government and opposition, which he deemed detrimental to the nation’s political culture.
Nawaz lamented the way the PTI had instilled a culture of aggression, where youth were encouraged to chase cars and chant vulgar slogans, something he said was against the values of religion and culture.
Turning to domestic issues, Nawaz praised his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for his efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s economy. He highlighted positive developments such as rising reserves, an improving stock exchange, and decreasing inflation.
Nawaz credited Shehbaz for successfully stabilizing the economy during a difficult period and pointed to initiatives like the reduction of flour prices in Punjab as evidence of progress.
Maryam Nawaz also echoed her father’s sentiments, stating that the government had begun addressing issues such as smog, which had been ignored during previous administrations.
In response to a question about the possibility of a provincial airline, Maryam confirmed that the idea of starting a Punjab Airline was being explored. She also addressed questions about her health, stating that although she was undergoing treatment, she was doing well.
Nawaz’s comments reflect his ongoing engagement with political matters, both domestic and international, while emphasizing his party’s commitment to improving Pakistan’s economic and diplomatic standing on the global stage.
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