Blinken, Bilawal discuss bilateral ties in first contact since formation of new government in Pakistan

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari received a telephone call from Secretary Blinken, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement on Friday

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the first such high-level contact since a new government took over in the country, and exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral ties.

The conversation took place weeks after ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged that the U.S. was behind the "foreign conspiracy" to topple his government through a no-confidence vote tabled by the Opposition.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister received a telephone call from Secretary Blinken, the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement on Friday.

During the phone call, Secretary Blinken congratulated Bilawal on the assumption of his office and expressed the desire to continue strengthening the mutually beneficial Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relationship.

Exchanging views on various aspects of Pakistan-U.S. relations, Bilawal underscored that Pakistan and the U.S. have a longstanding broad-based relationship.

He added that constructive and sustained engagement between the two countries based on mutual respect and mutual interest was vital to promote peace, development and security in the region and beyond.

Bilawal emphasised that Pakistan’s vision was focused on human development, regional connectivity and a peaceful neighbourhood.