Islamabad, 21 April 2022 (TDI): Ilhan Omar, a member of the US Congress and an elected representative, met with Pakistan’s top leadership on her visit to Islamabad.
She received a warm welcome in Pakistan on Wednesday, for a four-day visit. During this time, she will meet various officials and will pay a visit to Lahore and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister
The Congresswoman met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss bilateral ties between both countries and the regional situation. Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with the United States.
Moreover, he said that Pakistan wanted to further deepen bilateral cooperation based on mutual respect, trust, and equality. Furthermore, he expressed hope that their meeting leads to increased people-to-people ties and strengthen exchanges between Pakistan’s parliament and the US Congress.
Shehbaz Sharif recognized the US’s importance as Pakistan’s largest trading partner. He emphasized the need to enhance cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of trade and investment.
In addition, he praised the efforts of the Pakistani diaspora in the US in reinforcing the Pakistan-US ties.
Likewise, he also raised the issue of human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Meeting with other officials
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar also met the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. Both officials talked about bilateral relations, regional peace, the economy, and the Kashmir issue.
Furthermore, she met former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his residence in Bani Gala. They discussed Islamophobia and other related issues.
Ilhan Omar expressed her appreciation for the former Prime Minister for his work against Islamophobia, globally.
Finally, Congresswoman Omar met the National Assembly Speaker, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. In the meeting, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf proclaimed that “enhancing parliament to parliament contacts is vital for strengthening Pak-US relations.
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Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
The Congresswoman was born in Somalia during the country’s civil war. She lived part of her early life in a refugee camp in Kenya before coming to the USA in the 1990s.
She is the first Somali American and the first naturalized citizen of African birth in the United States Congress. Moreover, she is also the first woman of color to represent the state of Minnesota.
Ilhan Omar has been a stringent critic of Israel and its aggressive and oppressive policies towards Palestine. In addition, she remained in strong opposition to President Donald Trump.
