Days after 'productive' Nawaz Sharif-Donald Trump conversation, Pakistan to send envoy to meet US president-elect team

Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to send an envoy to the United States to hold a meeting with Donald Trump's transition team. 

The development comes two days after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held 'productive' telephonic conversation with United States president-elect Donald Trump. 

Pakistani Prime Minister's special assistant for foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi will visit the US this weekend to meet officials of the Trump transition team.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani confirmed the report of Fatemi's meeting with officials of Trump transition team. "Besides meeting members of the transition team, Fatemi will meet officials of the outgoing Obama administration," said Jilani.

Fatemi, who is coming on a two-week official visit, is also expected to meet some members of this team and in Washington. "He will also meet new US lawmakers elected last month," Jilani told a news briefing at the embassy.

"This is a very important visit as much has happened in Washington since the November 8 elections," Jilani said.

US President-elect Donald Trump is scheduled to take the oath on January 20 but he has already set up a provisional team, encouraging foreign leaders and officials to visit his headquarters in New York for familiarisation meetings.

Last week, Sharif had called Trump to congratulate him as the two leaders discussed various issues.

"I am ready and willing to play any role that you want me to play to address and find solutions to the outstanding problems. It will be an honour and I will personally do it. 
Feel free to call me any time even before 20th January, that is before I assume my office," Trump told Sharif, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan Prime 
Minister's Office.