Govt committed to bring improvement in living standard of ordinary people: Qureshi.

WASHINGTON -- Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi says the government is committed to bring improvement in the living standard of ordinary people.

Addressing Pakistani-American community in Washington, he said foreign exchange has been stabilized owing to the prudent economic policies of the incumbent government.

He said the steps of government have resulted in a boost in the country's exports. He said the revenue condition has also significantly improved in the country.

The Foreign Minister said bullish trend has been witnessed in the stock exchange and foreign investment has also increased.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan is ready to play its due role in finding peaceful solution to the tensions between the United States and Iran.

Talking to the US's Under Secretary of Defense John Rood in Washington, he said Pakistan remained deeply concerned about the prospects of any instability in its neighborhood. He underscored the need for dialogue and de-escalation in the region.

Discussing various aspects of Pakistan-US defense cooperation, the Foreign Minister highlighted that defense and security cooperation has been one of the defining features of our bilateral cooperation. He said the US decision to revive international military education and training program for Pakistan had significant symbolic value and was a welcome first step in further reviving bilateral military cooperation.

Meanwhile US Senator Lindsey Graham has reiterated the importance of working towards a free trade agreement between Pakistan and the United States for more robust trade and economic engagement between the two countries.

He was talking to Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshion Capital Hill on Friday. Lindsey Graham assured the Foreign Minister of his personal support for increasing bilateral trade and enhancing cooperation in the agriculture sector between the two countries.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the two sides needed to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture and investment in order to translate Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Donald Trump's vision for a broad based and long term into reality.

The Foreign Minister also briefed the US Senator on Pakistan's continuing efforts for facilitating a peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan hoped for the early initiation of an intra Afghan dialogue. Lindsey Graham appreciated Pakistan's role in facilitating the political reconciliation process...