KARACHI: The Foreign Office on Thursday clarified that SAPM Tariq Fatemi had undertaken a “private visit to Washington DC” and that his meetings were facilitated by the Pakistan embassy in Washington.
In a statement, the FO said that the spokesperson never stated that the “Foreign Office did not play any role in his (Fatemi’s) meeting with US officials”, adding that there was no question of ‘disavowing’ it.
Earlier Govt of Pakistan disowned the visit which was meant to seek US support as a "Personal" one, which surprised many in Washington’s diplomatic circles.
Tariq Fatemi, who is currently serving as special assistant to the prime minister, arrived in the US capital last week and held brainstorming sessions with officials at the Pakistan embassy, including the ambassador.
On July 21, he met US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman at her office and on the same day, Ms Sherman posted a brief message on her official Twitter:
“I met with Special Assistant to the PM of Pakistan Ambassador Fatemi to reaffirm our shared goals of expanding relations through enhancing economic and commercial ties.”