ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during his visit to the United States to attend US President Donald Trump’s inauguration met several US Congressmen.
Naqvi, who was in the United States, to attend a state event hasn’t met any US government official, which experts termed as a diplomatic flaw.
During his visit on Tuesday, the interior minister attended a special dinner reception at the Lincoln Liberty Hall in Washington, where he met with US senators, members of Congress, and prominent figures, the state-run APP reported.
Naqvi also held meetings with Congressmen Joe Wilson and Rob Bresnahan on January 23, during which they talked about lasting peace in the region, particularly the situation in Afghanistan.
Following their meeting, Congressman Wilson took to X and tweeted, ‘Free Imran Khan’, which also sparked criticism. Experts and internet users called it Pakitstan’s diplomatic misstep in Washington D.C.
Michael Kugelman, a political expert and Director at The Wilson Center on X, wrote, “Pakistan’s interior minister meets with a US Congressman and soon thereafter the Congressman posts a ‘free Imran Khan’ tweet. That’s an epic fail for the interior minister and his superiors.”
The minister also met with US Congressmen Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jack Bergman where they discussed strengthing Pakistan-US ties.
Media reports also claimed that Mohsin Naqvi attended an event that is considered “anti-China” during his visit to the States, which he refused.
Local media reports claimed that Naqvi attended an event hosted by a lobbying group, Gunster Strategies Worldwide, that campaigns against the neighbour’s ruling Chinese Communist Party.
However, Naqvi told reporters in Houston that it was mere propaganda. The minister acknowledged that he did attend an event but it was not any anti-China function.
According to the state-run media, the interior minister has been on a one-week visit to the US, where he has participated in various events and held important meetings. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, was also present during several meetings.
