Despite Pakistan anger US sticks to Imran-Pompeo readout, hails contact as ‘good one’

The United States on Thursday said it stands by an earlier readout of the phone call between Prime Minister Imran Khan and US Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo after Pakistan termed the US statement as “factually incorrect”.

“We stand by our readout,” said State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert during her weekly press briefing. Nauert, terming the contact as a good call, said Pompeo had “expressed his willingness to work with the new government toward a productive bilateral relationship”.

“It may surprise some of you, but they had a good call. Pakistan is an important partner to the US. We hope to forge a good, productive working relationship with the new civilian government. My understanding is that the beginning of the call or the call itself was a good call and a good discussion toward our working with the new government and the new administration.”