ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s policy of maintaining broad-based, non-partisan engagement with the United States, in a carefully calibrated responsetotheDemocratic Party’s sweeping victory in the midterm elections.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan, speaking at the weekly media briefing, made no direct reference to the Democrats or thechange in control of Congress, but stressed that Islamabad had maintained good relations withsuccessive US administrations and intended to continue doing so. ‘We have maintained excellent relations with all governments, irrespective of who is in power, and this will continue,’ he maintained.The statement, though couched in familiar diplomatic language, reflected Islamabad’s desire to maintain a balanced approach amid political changes in Washington, with Democrats controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate as President Donald Trump enters the final two years of his term.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said the US remained an important partner with whom engagement would continue across the board. ‘We view the United States as an important partner for Pakistan in areas ranging from trade and investment to security and counterterrorism, as well as investment in minerals,’ he said.
‘We will, therefore, continue to maintain our relations with the United States, irrespective of which government is in power.
US-Pakistan bilateral relations have seen a revival since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, with Islamabad investing heavily in cultivating the president and his inner circle. Increasingly shaped by direct engagement between the White House and Pakistan’s military leadership, the relationship revolves around Iran mediation, cryptocurrency deals, critical minerals and counterterrorism cooperation.
However, the Democratic takeover of Congress raises questions about the durability of such arrangements developed largely through personalised political and military channels. While Trump retains considerable executive authority over foreign policy, Democratic control of both chambers could mean greater congressional scrutiny of defence cooperation, commercial arrangements and Pakistan’s governance record, besides making some proposed financial and investment initiatives harder to advance.
The FO spokesperson’s emphasis on Pakistan’s engagement with successive US administrations appears intended to signal that Islamabad’s relationship with Washington was not dependent on Trump’s political fortunes.
Reactions from other foreign capitals to the midterm results have likewise reflected a mix of caution and pragmatism. Iran portrayed the outcome as a rejection of Trump’s war policy, while Russia adopted a more critical and guarded stance towards the Democrats’ gains. China stressed continuity in its approach to Washingron, while some European leadersexpressed hope for shifts in US policy on Ukraine and climate change.
The FO spokesperson also maintained that elections were an ‘internal matter’ of the United States.
The FO spokesperson revealed that Pakistan was in discussions with US authorities over a proposal to deport Afghan nationals from the US through Pakistani territory, adding that Islamabad was still examining the plan and had yet to reach an understanding with Washington.
‘The matter is currently under consideration, and all relevant aspects are being carefully examined in consultation with the stakeholders concerned. We are hopeful that a mutually agreeable way forward will be reached,’ he said.
Mr Khan did not disclose the nature of the discussions or indicate whether Pakistan was prepared to allow the proposed transfers. When asked about the possible arrangement, he said: ‘We want a proper solution to emerge. What that solution will be, you will find out in due course.’ The discussions follow reports that the Trump administration is considering deporting around 150 Afghan nationals detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), mainly at facilities in Louisiana, to Pakistan, from where they could be transferred to Afghanistan.
The absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and the Taliban authorities in Kabul has made direct deportations difficult.
Under the reported plan, Pakistan would serve as a transit point for the onward return of Afghan nationals to their country.
Pakistan reiterated its desire for peace in the Gulf region and expressed full support for Qatar’s ongoing diplomatic initiative to end the conflict between the US and Iran, as the FO spokesman said the nuclear issue had emerged as one of the main points of contention in the negotiations. Mr Khan said Islamabad would continue to contribute to mediation efforts and support any country able to bring Washington and Tehrancloser to a peaceful settlement.
‘Nuclear is now one of the main contentious items under discussion between the US and Iran,’ he said, adding that Pakistan supported a resolution ‘within the framework permitted under the NPT and mutually agreed upon by both sides’.
He said Qatar and other regional countries were also playing an active role in mediation, adding: ‘We support any country that is able to bring the two sides towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute in our region.
Pakistan is fully supportive of any such initiative,’ he said. When asl(ed about countries that could undermine the peace process, the FO spokesman pointed to Israel, saying regional peace was not in its interest.
‘There could be others, but I am sure that peace in the region is certainly not in Israel’s interest,’ he said.
Sikh pilgrims The FO spokesman said Pakistan was ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims for the 557th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji later this month, while pointing out suspension of pilgrim movement through the Kartarpur Corridor by India.
Spokesman Khan said preparations were underway for the celebrations at Nankana Sahib and Pakistan was ready to facilitate pilgrims from India and elsewhere.
‘The 1974 Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines provides the framework for such visits between the two countries,’ he said.
Asked about the reported interest of the chief minister of India’s Punjab in visiting Pakistan, Mr Khan said Islamabad would consider issuing him a visa if he wished to travel. Whether New Delhi would allow him to malce the trip was a separate matter, he added.
In a separate development, the FO spokesman confirmed that Pakistan had received India’s invitation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Civilisation Forum, scheduled for Nov 20-22 in New Delhi, but said no decision had been taken on participation.