Imran Khan bats for more 'trustworthy' ties with US

Pakistani prime minister-in-waiting Imran Khan called for more "trustworthy" ties with the United States which have frayed amid US accusations that Pakistan is aiding Islamist insurgents waging war in Afghanistan, something Islamabad denies.

Khan, who is due to be sworn-in as premier next week after his July 25 election victory, met acting US Ambassador to Pakistan John F Hoover on Wednesday and said the ups and downs in relations had led to a "trust deficit".

Washington has suspended aid and military assistance to Pakistan.

"(My party) wants to build a relationship with United States based on trust and mutual respect and hence our government will engage with US to make this relationship more balanced and trustworthy," Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said in a statement late on Wednesday, attributing comments to Khan.

Khan added that there was a need to "transform" the diplomatic ties between the two countries. The US Embassy in Pakistan has not commented on the meeting, reported Reuters.

In January, US President Donald Trump further strained relations with a withering attack on Pakistan on Twitter, accusing Pakistan of playing a "double game" on fighting terrorism and vowing a tougher approach.

Khan's party said the former cricketer also discussed Afghanistan with the US envoy, stressing that a political solution was needed rather than more fighting.

"Stability in Afghanistan, he said, is (in) the larger interests of Pakistan, America and the region and hence should be earned through viable political engagements," said Khan, according to the PTI statement.

Meanwhile, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) yesterday dropped the charges against Imran Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Pervez Khattak for using indecent language during their election campaigns, reported Dawn Online.