Federal Minister for Planning and Growth Ahsan Iqbal expressed hopes that the incoming United States administration led by President-elect Donald Trump will revitalise the Pakistan-US partnership by selling mutual respect and constructive engagement between each nations.
He acknowledged this whereas addressing an occasion organised by the US Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID) in Islamabad to mark the longstanding US infrastructure improvement help to Pakistan on Monday.
The minister emphasised that mutual respect and constructive engagement between each nations was the important thing to addressing shared challenges and unlocking new alternatives for progress.
Earlier this month, Republican candidate Donald Trump was elected the forty seventh president of the US with 312 electoral votes, making a rare comeback 4 years after he was voted out of the White Home.
His opponent, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, had grabbed 226 electoral votes within the presidential election.
Trump shall be sworn in on the presidential inauguration ceremony on the US Capitol constructing in Washington DC on January 20, 2025.
Iqbal highlighted the significance of addressing international challenges comparable to local weather change, vitality sustainability and meals safety whereas discussing future cooperation between each nations.
The minister known as for collaborative analysis in renewable vitality, sustainable agriculture, and trendy infrastructure to construct a extra resilient future.
He additionally burdened the necessity for participating the colourful Pakistani diaspora in the US to strengthen cultural, tutorial and financial ties between the 2 nations, APP quoted an official assertion as saying.
“Pakistan, with its strategic location on the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and the Center East, is a pure associate for the US in selling regional connectivity and financial integration,” Iqbal stated.
He reiterated Pakistan’s dedication to constructing a way forward for peace, prosperity and progress in collaboration with the US.
He stated vital contributions of the US to Pakistan’s infrastructure initiatives mirrored the enduring strategic significance of the bilateral relationship, and outlined a highway map for future cooperation below the management of the brand new US president.
The minister highlighted the historic basis of US-Pakistan relations, which started with defence cooperation and advanced into a strong improvement partnership.
He burdened the significance of fostering a brand new dimension of collaboration centered on training, infrastructure and financial improvement to deal with rising international challenges.
Consistent with the imaginative and prescient of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he stated, Pakistan would set up pleasant and cordial relations with all nations, significantly the US, which all the time stood for justice and humanity.
Iqbal lauded the transformational affect of US-supported infrastructure initiatives in Pakistan, citing the enduring Mangla and Tarbela dams that continued to function lifelines for the agriculture and vitality sectors.
He additionally talked about US-funded initiatives in healthcare, training and transportation sectors, which considerably improved the standard of life for tens of millions.
He seen these initiatives as not solely addressing Pakistan’s speedy wants but in addition laying the muse for long-term sustainable progress.
The minister additionally recalled the US-Pakistan Information Hall, launched in the course of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) authorities tenure of 2013-18, describing it as a ‘crucial initiative’ to strengthen tutorial and analysis collaborations.
Iqbal acknowledged the Fulbright Scholarship program, the biggest on the earth for Pakistan, as a transformative alternative that empowered 1000’s of Pakistanis to contribute meaningfully to nationwide progress.
The senior chief of the ruling PML-N underscored the potential for increasing bilateral commerce, which exceeded $6.5 billion in 2023, and known as for enhanced market entry and joint ventures in key sectors comparable to data expertise, agriculture and manufacturing.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and USAID Mission Director Veeraya (Kate) Somvongsiri, who had been additionally current on the occasion, highlighted the achievements of the US-Pakistan relationship over the previous seven a long time and reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening bilateral cooperation.