Pak-US tension increases;

US dismisses Pakistan’s claim about Pompeo-Imran phone call

The diplomatic row is underway between Pakistan and the US as the two countries disagree about whether US State Secretary Mike Pompeo and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held discussion over terrorism in a telephonic conversation..

News ID: 71956

Date: 24 August 2018 - 13:30

Islamabad(Defapress)_The US has rejected the statement of Pakistan foreign ministry that there was no mention of the ‘terrorists operating in the country’ during the telephonic conversation. Washington has refused to withdraw from its original readout of the phone call.

This response comes after Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr. Mohammad Faisal rejected the statement issued by the US.

“Pakistan takes exception to the factually incorrect statement issued by the US State Department on today’s phone call between PM Khan and Secretary Pompeo,” spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal wrote on Twitter.

“There was no mention at all in the conversation about terrorists operating in Pakistan. This should be immediately corrected,” he added.

However, US State Department spokesperson, Heather Nauert, who issued the readout about Pompeo-Khan phone call, asserted that the state secretary had raised Islamabad’s importance of taking decisive action against terrorist outfits operating in Pakistan, and added, “We stand by its original readout”.

“Secretary Pompeo spoke today with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and wished him success. Secretary Pompeo spoke with Imran Khan and expressed his willingness to work with the new government towards a productive bilateral relationship. They had a good call,” she said at a press briefing.

Nauert said they were stood by the readout, issued by the state department, stating that Pompeo has pressed Prime Minister Imran Khan in a phone call to take “decisive action” against “terrorists” operating in Pakistan.

The recent diplomatic tussle is first of the new government of Imran Khan who in his victory speech after July 25 elections had said he wants a balanced relation between Pakistan and America which should be mutually beneficial, not one sided.

Reports say Pompeo is likely to visit Pakistan in September and hold talks with the newly elected prime minister. Pompeo, who is expected in Islamabad on September 5, would be the first foreign dignitary to meet Imran Khan.

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