Trump to visit Pakistan soon, says PM Imran

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump will visit Pakistan soon, Prime Minister Imran Khan told a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, terming his visit to the United States “successful”.

The trip to Washington was successful in its own way, Imran said, adding that Islamabad was victorious in having itself acknowledged on an equal level.

Pakistan played its role to the full extent in highlighting the Kashmir issue and that the bilateral relationship would be excellent in the future as opposed to how they were in the past.

According to sources, the premier took the Cabinet into confidence regarding extending an invitation to Trump to visit Pakistan.

During his visit to Washington, Imran — apart from Trump — met US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, members of the US Congress, and various businesspeople.

The PM also addressed the Pakistani-American in Capital One Arena on Sunday where he assured them of changing the system back home to one that runs on merit. “You will see Pakistan prosper every year,” he told the crowd.

The PM laid out the difference between democracy and monarchy. “Democracy has merit. In the world countries which progressed because of meritocracy.”

Separately, the Cabinet corroborated the decisions made during the July 17 meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

Earlier in the day, upon his return, a jubilant Imran said it seemed to him as if he was returning to Pakistan after winning the World Cup. He said he never bowed down before anyone and neither would he let his nation do it.

The premier commented on how Pakistan faced tough times because of “thieves and dacoits” and that the country would not progress until thieves are put behind bars.

He said his purpose was to make Pakistanis great and achieve respect around the world.