Pence reiterates US demand of Pak 'cooperation' in congratulatory call to PM Mulk

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

LEFT: US Vice President Mike Pence at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Dita Alangkara/Pool/Files; RIGHT: Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: United States Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday called Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk to congratulate him on assuming the office and discuss other matters of strategic importance, a statement from the PM’s media office said.

During the telephonic conversation, Pence appreciated Mulk’s illustrious career as a jurist and "highlighted the importance of the upcoming Pakistani general election, scheduled for July, which [the latter's] caretaker government is responsible for overseeing, being free and fair", a statement from the White House read.

The US VP also wished him well for the effective implementation of the specific mandate and conveyed the good wishes of US President Donald Trump.

Discussing Trump’s strategy on South Asia, Pence reiterated the US demands from Islamabad for the latter's "support and cooperation in combating terrorist sanctuaries to improve stability and security in the region".

The two agreed upon the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, as well as pursuing the common objective of achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.


Caretaker PM Mulk assures elections will be timely and transparent


Thanking Pence for his congratulatory call, the caretaker PM said his government was committed to assisting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding free and fair elections.

The premier added that his government would fulfil its responsibility for a smooth transition of power to the elected government, in accordance with the Constitution.

Last week, Justice (retd) Mulk took oath as the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, following which he assured the public and politicians that the general elections 2018 would be timely and transparent.

The caretaker PM then briefly spoke with journalists, telling them he would fulfil the responsibility he had come for.

“Remember my words, elections will be held on the time fixed,” Mulk was quoted as saying.

The ECP has announced that the general elections are scheduled to be held on July 25, 2018.

Two days prior to the completion of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's tenure, the Department of State had announced that the US supported free, fair, transparent, and accountable elections in Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pence's call comes a day after US State Secretary Mike Pompeo telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss bilateral issues as well as the Afghan peace process.

Both US leaders, however, stressed the need for Islamabad to take indiscriminate action against various terrorist groups.

Earlier in March, Pence met with the then-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, asking Pakistan to "do more to address the continued presence of the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and other terrorist groups" that the US alleges operate in the country.

"Pakistan could and should work closer with the United States," he had said.

In a response to a question put forward by Geo News at that time, a spokesperson for the State Department stressed that the US backed the implementation of historic electoral reforms in Pakistan along with other international partners.

The Department said the Trump administration hoped that "the new comprehensive, transparent, legal framework facilitates the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government".


https://www.geo.tv/latest/198414-pe...cooperation-in-congratulatory-call-to-pm-mulk

 

[somebozo]

These terrorism and extremist outfits should be finished...why are they being kept on artificial life support until now?

 

[Path-Finder]

These terrorism and extremist outfits should be finished...why are they being kept on artificial life support until now?

why veto the ban on ttp?

 

[Taimoor Khan]

All these calls from Americans to Pakistani leadership are becoming a source of worry. Pre poll rigging in favour of either PML-N or PPP ? Americans absolutely hate Imran Khan for sure.

Both NasirulMulk and Bajwa should have ignored these calls. Sending wrong signals.

 

[alphapak]

US is doing this because they are desperately trying to influence
the elections in Pakistan. They want to keep Imran Khan out.

They have also tasked Hussain Haqqani along with Reham for
charachter assasination. Pak army and ISI must keep the Americans
out and not do what Gen Kiyani done.

Kayani roll over and rigged 2 elections to bring in America's choice.

 

[BHarwana]

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: United States Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday called Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Nasirul Mulk to congratulate him on assuming the office and discuss other matters of strategic importance, a statement from the PM’s media office said.

During the telephonic conversation, Pence appreciated Mulk’s illustrious career as a jurist and "highlighted the importance of the upcoming Pakistani general election, scheduled for July, which [the latter's] caretaker government is responsible for overseeing, being free and fair", a statement from the White House read.

The US VP also wished him well for the effective implementation of the specific mandate and conveyed the good wishes of US President Donald Trump.

Discussing Trump’s strategy on South Asia, Pence reiterated the US demands from Islamabad for the latter's "support and cooperation in combating terrorist sanctuaries to improve stability and security in the region".

The two agreed upon the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, as well as pursuing the common objective of achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Thanking Pence for his congratulatory call, the caretaker PM said his government was committed to assisting the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding free and fair elections.

The premier added that his government would fulfil its responsibility for a smooth transition of power to the elected government, in accordance with the Constitution.

Last week, Justice (retd) Mulk took oath as the caretaker prime minister of Pakistan, following which he assured the public and politicians that the general elections 2018 would be timely and transparent.

The caretaker PM then briefly spoke with journalists, telling them he would fulfil the responsibility he had come for.

“Remember my words, elections will be held on the time fixed,” Mulk was quoted as saying.

The ECP has announced that the general elections are scheduled to be held on July 25, 2018.

Two days prior to the completion of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government's tenure, the Department of State had announced that the US supported free, fair, transparent, and accountable elections in Pakistan.

On the other hand, Pence's call comes a day after US State Secretary Mike Pompeo telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss bilateral issues as well as the Afghan peace process.

Both US leaders, however, stressed the need for Islamabad to take indiscriminate action against various terrorist groups.

Earlier in March, Pence met with the then-PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, asking Pakistan to "do more to address the continued presence of the Taliban, Haqqani Network, and other terrorist groups" that the US alleges operate in the country.

"Pakistan could and should work closer with the United States," he had said.

In a response to a question put forward by Geo News at that time, a spokesperson for the State Department stressed that the US backed the implementation of historic electoral reforms in Pakistan along with other international partners.

The Department said the Trump administration hoped that "the new comprehensive, transparent, legal framework facilitates the peaceful transfer of civilian power to a democratically elected government".




https://www.geo.tv/latest/198414-pe...cooperation-in-congratulatory-call-to-pm-mulk

 

[MBT 3000]

ISI must be ready US is trying to influence elections, and USA should F off. first stop fatf garbage then "talk"

 

[Sugarcane]

Why the PM picked up call of pen!s?

 

[Dalit]

Look at the comical desperation of these Americans. It is laughable.

It is funny when the Americans claim they have no favorite in Pak elections. That is absolutely the biggest joke of the universe.

 

[Metanoia]

The modern day bane of everyone's existence, the USA.

 

[A.A. Khan]

@alphapak
The biggest threat is Pakistan involving back IMF and US has been lobbying with its different tactics thru their agents in media and bureaucracy to make Pakistan take loan from IMF which is a recipe for disaster.
Imran Khan is same as others, till last yearhe also used to carefully talk regarding India and hinutva terror and on chance went to meet that hindutva militant Modi.
Recently with British press he gave an indication he will go to the IMF, can't trust this fellow.

Imran hints at approaching IMF after coming to power

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf(PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has hinted at approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after coming to power, besides establishing constructive ties with the US.

In his last visit to United Kingdom, Imran Khan had a private meeting with an equity investment company Exotix Capital, which advises the international investors about emerging financial markets and economies around the world.

According to the report, prepared by the Exotix and shared with its clients, stated that Exotix hosted meeting with the opposition PTI leader, Imran Khan, in the UK.

During the meeting, Imran Khan admitted that the IMF assistance for economic policies and financial matters might be necessary. The meeting was not declared to the public and no report was published in the media about the meeting.

Imran Khan also expressed his pragmatic approach for constructive US relations. Additionally, the PTI chairman also expressed concerns about lack of transparency in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other Chinese led infrastructure projects.

According to the report, a copy of which is available with The News, the Exotix Capital termed it surprising remarks by the Imran Khan. The report started with “Reluctant acceptance that IMF assistance may be necessary, pragmatism on the need for constructive US relations, regret over the lack of transparency of pricing in Chinese-led infrastructure projects: these were Khan’s surprising remarks.”

The Exotix Capital report stated that “His (Imran Khan) comments on the IMF and the US should provide reassurance to investors, particularly foreign ones, who are skittish about the unknowns represented by the PTI.”

Furthermore, “The comments on Chinese projects should be seen, in our view, not as signalling potential contract revisions (in the style of Sri Lanka), but rather as an admission that little can be done about contracts already signed and to contrast the sort of transparency and more open bidding promised for future projects.”

The Exotix Capital was less surprised with the PTI chairman remarks about coming to power after the next general election. The report stated, “Less surprising were his remarks conveying optimism on his party’s chances in the upcoming election, an uncompromising conviction in targeting corrupt individuals and institutions, and his goal to widen the tax collection net.”

Interestingly, the Exotix Capital in its previous reported released to the investors on February 25, 2018 stated: “We judge there is a 50% probability of the most market-friendly outcome – that is another government led by the current ruling party, the PML-N (the Sharif brothers). We see a 35% probability of the most market-negative outcome (although, ironically, the most positive in terms of initiating structural reforms) – a multi-party coalition government led by the PTI (Imran Khan).

“We see a 15% probability for a market-neutral outcome of an extended, de-politicised, interim administration (either as a result of delayed or disputed elections or due to protracted negotiations among the political parties following a hung Parliament). We see 0% probability of martial law.”

However, after meeting with Imran Khan, new report, which was released to the investors on April 24, 2018, changed the chances of the winning of election in favour of Imran Khan by increasing it to 50 per cent for PTI and reduced PML-N probabilities to 40 per cent.

The Exotix Capital April report stated “Election probability scenarios have shifted in PTI's favour.”

Furthermore, “Independent of any remarks made during the meeting we hosted, in this report we update the probabilities we assign to different election scenarios.

“In the two months following our report in which we previewed the Q3 18 election, the following key political events have occurred: 1) the judicial confirmation of former PM and ruling party (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif’s lifetime ban from public political office (which not only strips the party of its leader of the past three decades, but also makes it difficult for his brother Shahbaz Sharif, who succeeded Nawaz as party leader, is currently Chief Minister of Punjab and is the party’s de facto PM candidate post-election, to distance himself from Nawaz’s tirades against the judiciary and, in our view, by implication, the army); 2) the arrest of additional officers in the provincial government run by Shahbaz Sharif, on suspicion of corrupt business practices in the alleged Ashiana housing scam, 3) the start of breakaway groups from the PML-N, for example the JBSM south Punjab; and 4) the start of defections away from parties, such as the MQM-P in Karachi, prepared to act in coalition with the PML-N.

“This persuades us that the probability of a PTI-led coalition government emerging from the election has increased. We change our probabilities to 40% PML-N, 50% PTI, 10% extended interim and 0% martial law from 50% PML-N, 35% PTI, 15% extended interim government, 0% martial law.”

The report further stated “A PTI-led coalition will likely drive three concerns that may significantly negatively impact the pricing of Pakistan (local currency) equities and (US$-denominated) sovereign debt in the short term: 1) the flight of capital of vested interests in the undocumented economy, which enjoy tacit protection under the current government; 2) the coherence of coalition civilian politics after five years of an absolute majority under the PML-N; and 3) untested (or unknown) macroeconomic policies of the PTI compared with the known (however, imperfect) ones of the PML-N. A flexible attitude to the IMF alleviates some of these concerns, at least for foreign investors, but the trailing PB of the KSE100 is also back to its five-year mean after a 13% ytd rally in US$ total return terms. Long term, our view remains that the PTI (as long as it remains under the charismatic leadership of Khan) represents Pakistan’s best hope for structural reform, in terms of the following: 1) efficiency improvements in its bureaucracy and state-owned enterprises; 2) a widening of the tax net (as opposed to the hiking of tax rates on the existing narrow base); 3) address of network theft and non-payment in the electricity sector; and 4) re-engagement with the human and financial capital of the 7m-8m Pakistan diaspora.”

 

[Crystal-Clear]

american are trying harder to kaap Imran Khan away from Prime Minister house .

 

[Sine Nomine]

Moment of silence for all those clowns,who are thinking that US is trying to keep any tom,dick or harry away from Office.
Nothing special,that's just Normal.