Pakistan, US to hold high-level talks

Pakistan and the United States are reportedly holding high-level bilateral talks early this week on a range of international and bilateral issues, including trade and investment, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

According to sources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) had sought talking points and briefing material from all relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Commerce, for discussions expected between the two sides. However, MoFA has not disclosed the venue of the talks. The reported engagements are taking place at a time of heightened tension and uncertainty in the region amid the ongoing standoff between Iran and the United States, despite high-level talks facilitated by Oman.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to visit Germany from February 13 to 15 to participate in the Munich Security Conference. On the sidelines of the conference, he is expected to hold meetings with various world leaders. Discussions during the visit will focus on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, and economic partnership. The prime minister is also set to visit Vienna, Austria, later this month.

When contacted, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar dismissed reports regarding a visit by a US delegation to Pakistan for bilateral talks, terming them “disinformation.” This correspondent also contacted the US Embassy in Islamabad for information regarding any expected high-level bilateral talks between the two countries; however, no response was received until the filing of the story.

According to sources, MoFA had sought briefing material from a wide range of ministries and divisions, including the Ministries of Finance, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Energy, Federal Education and Professional Training, Human Rights, Industries and Production, Information Technology and Telecommunication, Interior, National Food Security and Research, National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, National Security Division, Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Planning and Special Initiatives, Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Science and Technology, the Special Investment Facilitation Council, and the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Davos, Switzerland, where he signed the charter for the “Board of Peace,” an initiative of US President Donald Trump aimed at promoting peace in Gaza.

Besides Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the charter was also signed by leaders from Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, and Armenia. Other countries that signed the draft include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Paraguay, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Mongolia.