NEW YORK: US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his offer of mediating the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India but dodged a question pertaining to the lockdown and curfew in the held valley.
Addressing a news conference along with Prime Minister Imran Khan in New York on the sidelines of 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the US president was asked about his opinion on 50-day lockdown in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Instead of answering the question, Trump started praising the reporter.
“He is a good reporter. Where do you find these reporters?” he asked PM Imran.
The US president said that he enjoys good relations with the leadership of both countries. He expressed hope that leadership of Pakistan and India can work together to sort this issue out. Trump said that there is always a solution to any issue and he hopes this issue can be resolved as well.
It is pertinent to mention here that Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged warm words of friendship in Texas at a rare mass rally for a foreign leader on Sunday. Around 50,000 people gathered for what Trump called a “profoundly historic event” in Houston.
Talking about the rally, he said that there was a very aggressive statement in yesterday’s address of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
But at the same time, appreciating the political wisdom and acumen of PM Imran, Trump said that he trusts Pakistan and its premier. He said that Imran wants to work for development of the region.
Referring to Afghanistan, Trump said that he had a great discussion with PM Imran on dialogue The ministry of finance wants to hire the services of two separate consortia for the Eurobonds and Sukuk.
The consortium for the Eurobonds will comprise five conventional banks and it will assist in the issuance of the bonds.
The second consortium, which will assist in the issuance of Sukuk, will have five financial institutions including at least two Islamic financial institutions.
The government plans to raise $3 billion by floating Sukuk and Eurobonds.
Pakistan’s financing requirement for the current account deficit has started going down but the government still need around $8 billion in this fiscal year to fill the financing gap.