Pakistan congratulates Trump and says it is ready to work with new U.S. administration.

Record ID: 79359

  • Title: Pakistan congratulates Trump and says it is ready to work with new U.S. administration.
  • Date: 10th November 2016
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (NOVEMBER 10, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** CARS ARRIVING AT FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS SEATED PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, ARRIVING (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "The presidential election in the U.S. was keenly watched across the globe. The leadership of Pakistan congratulated the President-elect Mr Donald Trump on his election victory. The message drew on the decades old strategic partnership rooted in the shared ideals of freedom, democracy, mutual respect and common interest, and also reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen mutually beneficial relations." ZAKARIA TAKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "With U.S., our relationship is not something new and the political change over there is also nothing new. This is a democratic process which they have successfully been following for centuries now, actually. Pakistan has always maintained very close cooperation and good relationship with United States. There have been numerous areas where both the countries have their converging and common interest and we have worked in partnership with America and America has worked in partnership with Pakistan on several issues." MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "It will remain our endeavour to promote this relationship further or strengthen this relationship further, and also work on the, more closely work on the areas of common interest with the administration which would be in place in a few days’ time. We look forward to working with the new administration towards mutual benefit of both the countries." REPORTER TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTANI FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, NAFEES ZAKARIA, SAYING: "This question was asked from him directly when he was campaigning for the election that what would be, what role he can play, and he had said, I recall from the media reports that he would like to play the role of mediator and arbitrator whenever necessary. And I think if you have heard, Mr Sartaj Aziz's (Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs) statement, I think yesterday, we had welcomed earlier also that offer. And as far as highlighting or sensitising or registering our concern on the issue of Kashmir, not only just the dispute part of it but also from the resolution part of it of the dispute but also the human rights violations which are going on there for last seven decades, definitely it remains our effort and America is fully aware of Pakistan's position, Pakistan's sentiments about Kashmir." END OF NEWS BRIEFING
  • Embargoed: 25th November 2016 11:05
  • Keywords: Pakistan U.S elections Donald Trump president elect
  • Location: ISLAMADAD, PAKISTAN
  • City: ISLAMADAD, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA00157V281Z
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Pakistan said on Thursday (November 10) its leadership has congratulated Donald Trump who stunned the world by defeating heavily favoured rival Hillary Clinton in Tuesday's (November 8) United States (U.S:) presidential election, ending eight years of Democratic rule and sending the United States on a new, uncertain path.
    At a weekly news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria said the country was ready to work with new U.S. administration.
    "The presidential election in the U.S. was keenly watched across the globe. The leadership of Pakistan congratulated the President-elect Mr Donald Trump on his election victory. The message drew on the decades old strategic partnership rooted in the shared ideals of freedom, democracy, mutual respect and common interest, and also reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen mutually beneficial relations," he said.
    Zakaria hoped to further strengthen the ties between Pakistan and the United States.
    "With U.S our relationship is not something new and the political change over there is also nothing new. This is a democratic process which they have successfully bee following for centuries now, actually. Pakistan has always maintained very close cooperation and good relationship with United States. There have been numerous areas where both the countries have their converging and common interest and we have worked in partnership with America and America has worked in partnership with Pakistan on several issues," Zakaria said.
    "It will remain our endeavour to promote this relationship further or strengthen this relationship further, and also work on the, more closely work on the areas of common interest with the administration which would be in place in few days' time. We look forward to working with the new administration towards mutual benefit of both the countries," he added.
    Analysts say Trump's surprise election has made Pakistanis wary that he may accelerate what they see as a shift in American policy to favour arch-foe India in the long rivalry between nuclear-armed neighbours.
    Historical allies in the region, Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour over U.S. accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants, a charge Pakistan denies.
    They hit new lows in May when a U.S. drone killed the leader of the Afghan Taliban movement on Pakistani territory.
    At the same time, Pakistan's ties with traditional rival India have also deteriorated this year, with India saying Pakistan-based militants killed 19 of its soldiers in a September attack on an army base in the disputed Kashmir region.
    Trump has yet to lay out a detailed policy for South Asia, although he recently offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in their dispute over the divided territory of Kashmir.
    "This question was asked from him directly when he was campaigning for the election that what would be, what role he can play, and he had said, I recall from the media reports that he would like to play the role of mediator and arbitrator whenever necessary. And I think if you have heard, Mr Sartaj Aziz's (Prime Minister's Adviser on Foreign Affairs) statement, I think yesterday, we had welcomed earlier also that offer. And as far as highlighting or sensitising or registering our concern on the issue of Kashmir, not only just the dispute part of it but also from the resolution part of it of the dispute but also the human rights violations which are going on there for last seven decades, definitely it remains our effort and America is fully aware of Pakistan's position, Pakistan's sentiments about Kashmir," Zakaria said.
    To many Pakistanis, Trump's anti-Muslim rhetoric and business ties to India are signs that his administration could shift further toward New Delhi.
    On Wednesday (November 9), a U.S. diplomat in Pakistan sought to assure the country that Trump's election did not signal a drastic policy change.
    Still, the uncertainty of a Trump presidency has many Pakistanis on edge, even if the country has leaned towards China in recent years for investment and diplomatic support.
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