America News Agency

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met in Islamabad with a delegation comprising members of the U.S. Congress and representatives of the business community.

Speaking at the meeting, Dar said Pakistan-U.S. relations were based on long-standing friendship and cooperation, adding that the strategic partnership between the two countries continued to strengthen.

Dar said Pakistan and the United States were important countries in terms of population size and economic potential, and that both sides should expand cooperation in areas that would deliver mutual benefits.

The Pakistani minister noted that high-level contacts between the two countries had increased recently and that relations were progressing on the basis of mutual trust, respect and shared interests.

Highlighting the importance of interparliamentary contacts, Dar said regular meetings enhanced mutual understanding, strengthened institutional ties and contributed to healthier policymaking processes.

Dar also said Pakistan had played a facilitating role in the U.S.-Iran dialogue, stressing that regional peace and stability should be supported through diplomacy and dialogue.

The Pakistani foreign minister also expressed the goal of further developing relations with the United States in the areas of economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology and energy.