US visit aimed to dispel misunderstanding about Pakistan: PM

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his first official visit to the United States was aimed at dispelling misunderstanding about Pakistan.

PM Imran was addressing the members of the US Congress during his visit to the Capitol Hill. The prime minister said that over the years there has existed a lot of misunderstanding about the country.

“Pakistan is not understood here, specifically in the last 15 years, when this war on terror was being fought in Afghanistan and the borders of Pakistan,” he told those in attendance.

In his address, the PM expressed hope that following his departure from the US, people would have a better understanding of the dynamics of Pakistan-US ties.

PM Imran shed light on the losses faced by Pakistan in fighting the war on terror for the sake of US, saying that the ally lost 70,000 people and billions of rupees.

He said that the previous governments failed to tell the ground realities to the US in this regard.

“There were 40 different militant groups operating within Pakistan.”

The prime minister said that Pakistan fought for its survival while the US expected it to ‘do more’.

PM Imran said that it was very important that he met US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, adding that it was crucial to build mutual trust in order to fully comprehend things.

The premier stated that Pakistan is diligently playing its part in the Afghan peace process and on the subject he has the support of the army and nation.

“Pakistan is now trying its best to get Taliban to get on the table to start this dialogue… and so far, we have done pretty well,” said the prime minister, although cautioning that it will not be an easy process.

Earlier upon the prime minister's arrival, he was given a warm welcome by host US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Congress members.

The prime minister left the US to return home upon successful completion of his three-day official visit.