Many key US Senators and Congressmen have reaffirmed their commitment to further cement Pak-US ties and expanding the scope of existing cooperation to trade and investment, renewable energy, climate change, regional security and promoting people exchanges during their meetings with Pak Ambassador to the United States.
During the past week, Ambassador Masood Khan met a number of US law-makers including Senator Bill Hagerty, Senator Jon Ossoff, Representative Jim Banks, Co-Chair Pakistan Congressional Caucus, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Ranking Member House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and Representative Jason Crow.
Separately, the Ambassador has also written letters to score of US law-makers thanking them for their resolute support during the recent vote in the House that rejected a proposed amendment to prohibit assistance to Pakistan under the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations (SFOFS) Act 2024.
During meeting with Senator Bill Hagerty, the two sides discussed ways to further strengthen Pak-US relations with a focus on cementing ties in trade and investment, energy and counter-terrorism.
In a meeting with Jon Ossoff, the US Senator from the state of Georgia, matters relating to bilateral relations and regional situation were discussed. With reference to sister-province relations between Georgia and Sindh province, the two sides reiterated their commitment to explore all possible avenues for tapping the existing potential of enhancing trade ties and promoting people to people exchanges.
Separately, the Ambassador had a productive meeting with Congressman Jim Banks, Co-Chair Pakistan Congressional Caucus. He thanked Representative Banks for his leadership in the Caucus and resolute support to Pakistan in Congress. The two sides “discussed ways to strengthen ties in parliamentary, economic, educational and cultural realms,” tweeted the Ambassador after the meeting.
Masood Khan also met Ranking Member House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and discussed Pak-US cooperation in defence, science and technology, education, renewable energy, climate change, and people to people linkages.
“Discussed recalibration in Pak-US relations providing impetus for broad-based trade, investment and security partnerships. Sought Congressional support for cementing bilateral ties,” tweeted the Ambassador after meeting with Congressman Jason Crow.
Representative Jason Crow in his tweet stated that strengthening cooperation on regional security, Afghanistan, and economic development was discussed during the meeting.
Separately, the Ambassador has also thanked US Congressman Mike McCaul, Chairman House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Chairperson Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Congressman Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Congressman Lance Gooden (R-Texas) for their strong support to Pakistan in foiling a move aimed at prohibiting assistance to Pakistan under the State Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations (SFOPS) Act 2024.
“We appreciate your intercession and counsel that ensured that the vote against the amendment enjoyed bi-partisan support,” wrote the Ambassador in his letter to the US law-makers.
He said that the assistance for earmarked under SFOPS would go to critical areas of cooperation including economic support, counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, military education training and health programs.
“In the years to come, we would work harder to promote parliamentary exchanges and strengthen bilateral ties between our two nations. In this endeavor, we would always work with you closely,” stated the Ambassador.—PR
