Trump gifts bat to Imran, accepts invite to visit Pak

The gesture is seen as strengthening relations between both nations.

Washington: Giving impetus to the US-Pak relations, President Donald Trump on Monday presented a bat with a picture of former American president Dwight Eisenhower to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in the White House.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that Trump has accepted an invitation to visit Pakistan extended to him by Khan.

Presenting a picture of Eisenhower is significant as he was the only US President to have witnessed a test match in Pakistan.

Imran Khan led the Pakistan cricket team to the cricket World Cup victory in 1992.

Trump and Khan discussed a range of issues including the situation in Afghanistan and the cancellation of US aid to Pakistan.

Earlier, Trump had strongly criticized Islamabad for its behavior which led to the cancellation of the aid amounting to USD 1.3 billion to the country.

The United States said that the aid would remain suspended until Islamabad takes steps against harbouring terrorists on its soil, a call which was renewed by several US Congressmen following Monday's meeting.