US Deputy Secretary Verma meets senior Pak officials in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: US Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Richard R Verma visited Pakistan and held meetings with senior Pakistani officials. Verma traveled to Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan on January 8-12.

In Islamabad, Deputy Secretary Verma discussed a wide range of shared interests and areas of mutual cooperation to advance the bilateral relationship. He met with senior Pakistani officials, international organizations and like-minded partners to underscore the United States unwavering commitment to assist Afghans who previously worked with or on behalf of the US government.

The deputy secretary also engaged business leaders to discuss the ways in which the United States can encourage economic reforms to support a stable and prosperous Pakistan through improved trade and investment ties.

In Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Erbil and Amman Deputy Secretary Verma met with staff at the respective US embassies and consulate general to thank them for their work, discuss management matters and hear their perspectives on bilateral and regional issues. In Baghdad, Deputy Secretary Verma met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani and discussed commitment to a secure stable and sovereign Iraq. He emphasized the importance of close Iraqi-US cooperation in addressing shared security threats.