By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump will host Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the White House July 22, the executive mansion confirmed Wednesday.
Khan's visit "will focus on strengthening cooperation between the United States and Pakistan to bring peace, stability, and economic prosperity to a region that has seen far too much conflict," spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.
"President Trump and Prime Minister Khan will discuss a range of issues, including counterterrorism, defense, energy, and trade, with the goal of creating the conditions for a peaceful South Asia and an enduring partnership between our two countries," she added.
Islamabad first confirmed the meeting last week, saying Khan would visit the U.S. from July 21 to 23.
This will be Khan's maiden visit to the U.S after his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party forged a government following the country's July 2018 general elections.
Pakistan's announcement came days after Washington designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) -- a separatist group active in Pakistan, but headquartered in neighboring Afghanistan -- a terrorist group, a longtime demand by Islamabad.