ISLAMABAD: A delegation of US Congressmen called on the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and appreciated Pakistan’s role in the Afghan situation, special efforts for effective border management and role in regional stability.
The delegation included Congressman Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representative (HFAC), accompanied by Congressman Ami Bera, Chairman of the Asia Subcommittee of the HFAC.
Welcoming the Congressional delegation to Pakistan, the foreign minister underscored that Pakistan valued its longstanding relationship with the United States and wanted to further deepen and widen this relationship. The foreign minister hoped that more high-level exchanges will take place between both countries strengthening people-to-people ties between them.
According to a statement. the foreign minister emphasised that Pakistan was pursuing imperatives of geo-economics and was determined to make the country a hub of trade, investment, and finance. He invited US companies to invest in Pakistan’s IT and Health sectors- apart from reaping dividends from other growing sectors.
Both Congressmen maintained that, given Pakistan’s potential and the size of its 220 million-plus consumer market, US companies were keen to invest in Pakistan. Foreign Minister particularly noted that both countries were making impressive strides in deepening co-operation in climate change and in fighting pandemic.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underlined Pakistan’s commitment to peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan. In this regard, he highlighted Pakistan’s continuing efforts for facilitating humanitarian assistance and economic support to Afghanistan given the twin challenges being faced by the Afghan people.
He hoped that the international community will expeditiously extend finical assistance to Afghanistan enabling the country to meet its compelling needs.
Congressman Meeks deeply appreciated Pakistan’s role in the evacuation of US and Afghan nationals, as well as Special Immigrant Visa Holders (SIVs) from Afghanistan and hoped that the two countries will widen their engagement to stabilise Afghanistan.
The foreign minister maintained that Pakistan was firmly committed to promote peace and security in South Asia enabling the region to realise its immense potential and hoped that the US will support Pakistan’s endeavors in that regard. Apprising the delegation about the egregious human rights violations in IIOJK, the foreign minister hoped that the US Congress will play its due role in raising voice for the rights of the Kashmiri people.
Both Congressmen were visiting Pakistan on Foreign Minister’s invitation. It was their standalone visit to Pakistan. Earlier the delegation also met Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.
Talking to the Congress members, Imran Khan emphasised that Pakistan and the United States need to deepen engagement to promote peace, stability and economic development in Afghanistan.
The PM particularly underscored that there is an urgent need to financially assist the Afghan people as part of the effort to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse.
He also hoped that visit of both the Congressmen will not only lead to further deepening of Pakistan-United States relations but will be instrumental in strengthening ties between parliaments of the two countries.
Both sides maintained that Pakistan and United States should work to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relationship as well as co-operation in health, security, counter-terrorism, and combating climate change.
