Lahore: On Saturday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed optimism following his recent trip to Washington to attend President Donald Trump’s inauguration. He stated that the diplomatic efforts made during his stay in the US would soon yield positive results.
During a press conference after inaugurating a passport office in Lahore’s Township, Naqvi mentioned, “Pakistan and the US share very good relations. I met several US senators and congressmen.” He added, “You will see positive results very soon.”
Naqvi highlighted that his visit to the US included meetings with President Trump’s foreign policy team and key lawmakers to strengthen ties with the new US administration.
Meetings with US Lawmakers and Hopes for a New Chapter in Pakistan-US Relations
During his visit, Naqvi attended a special dinner at the Lincoln Liberty Hall in Washington, where he met American senators, members of Congress, and other prominent figures, including Senator Tommy Tuberville and Congressman Ken Calvert.
In his conversations with US lawmakers, Naqvi expressed hope that a new chapter in Pakistan-US relations would begin during President Trump’s tenure.
He also met with US Congressmen Joe Wilson and Rob Bresnahan and assured them of full cooperation at all levels to enhance Pak-US relations.
Action Against Human Trafficking and Passport Issues
At the press conference, Naqvi also provided an update on the government’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Responding to a question, he mentioned plans to restructure the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to tackle the issue. “Human traffickers are bringing shame to the country, which cannot be tolerated,” he said.
Regarding the public’s difficulty in obtaining passports, the minister mentioned that Model Centers are being set up to assist the public.
Political Parties’ Protests and Government Response
When asked about the upcoming protests, Naqvi, without naming any political party, stated, “We will request the political party planning protests on February 8.” This was in reference to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s announcement to observe February 8 as a “Black Day” to protest against their “stolen mandate” in the general elections last year.
He also added that the government had made a request on November 26 and warned that the state would take action if PTI leadership fails to comply with the directive.
