Alice Wells meets Pakistani officials, discusses progress in bilateral ties

Wells arrived in Islamabad earlier.

Wells, the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, headed the visiting delegation while the Pakistani side was led by Additional Secretary FO Aftab Khokhar, reported Dawn News.

Ambassador Wells called on the Finance Minister.

"Delegation level talks were led by Mr. Aftab Khokher, Additional Secretary (Americas), from the Pakistan side. Senior officials from Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence also attended the meeting. The meeting took stock of the understanding reached between the Foreign Minister Qureshi and Secretary Pompeo to rebuild the relationship based on mutual trust and respect. Pakistani side emphasized the need to diversify the relationship with particular focus on enhanced economic and trade cooperation and people to people contacts," read a statement issued by the Foreign Office of the country.

"Evolving regional situation and peace and stability in Afghanistan were also discussed. The US delegation appreciated the need to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Pakistan which was an important country of the region," it said.

As per the statement, the two sides agreed to continue efforts to promote the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region and diversify bilateral relationship.