Pak media praises Imran over Trump comment

Islamabad, July 24 (IANS) After an offer of mediation on the Kashmir issue by US President Donald Trump, the Pakistani media is showering praise on Prime Minister Imran Khan. Khan's US visit is being dubbed as a diplomatic victory for the country.

Urdu daily 'Jang' published an editorial on Khan's US visit on Wednesday with title 'Imran ka Trump card' (Imran's Trump card). The newspaper has written that the private meeting between Trump and Khan, and interactions between delegations of both the nations have represented Pakistan's intention in a way that could be dubbed as "success".

However, the Kashmir matter was not mentioned in the joint statement issued after the meeting of both leaders.

Ignoring the fact, the newspaper wrote: "The most important thing that was heard across the world was on television... the offer of mediation by Trump between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue".

"After being satisfied with Trump's response that the Indian Prime Minister already had a word with Trump, Khan immediately accepted his (Trump's) offer," the editorial said.

The newspaper wrote in its editorial: "Displaying defiance, the Indian Foreign Ministry has refuted Trump's statement. It is beyond imagination that the leader of a superpower could ever give a contradictory statement on Modi and Kashmir".

It noted that the US has taken due note of the "disorder" in Kashmir.

Another newspaper Nawa-i-Waqt has written that while Trump's comment suited Pakistan and that Imran's US visit scored a diplomatic win, Pakistan "should not dilute its stand on Kashmir."

The paper sought to caution the government that the US stance of improvement or deterioration in ties should be viewed from the point of view of that country's national interests.