Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has reaffirmed Pakistan's desire for a broad-based, strategic partnership with the United States to advance the two countries' shared interests in the bilateral and regional spheres.

Talking to Republican Senator James Risch on the sidelines of his United Nations-related engagements in New York the Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan's commitment to facilitate efforts for achieving an inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

He stressed the importance of a stable and broad-based government in Afghanistan to ensure that Afghan territory is not exploited by transnational terrorist groups ever again.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted that while it is important to hold the Taliban to their commitments, international community must help the Afghan people deal with the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Senator Risch who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed with Foreign Minister on the need for continued cooperation between the two countries for peace in Afghanistan.