Pakistan, US investing in people-centric diplomacy: Masood

He was addressing a gathering of scholars, policy-makers, legislators, entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals at World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Washington.

He said Pakistan is a big market with 240 million consumers for American manufacturers having a big cohort of growing human capital. He said Pakistan is pivotal to the ecosystem that comprises the Central Asian states, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Gulf states, Middle East, and North Africa. He urged US businesses to increase their investment portfolios, particularly in tech startups, renewable energy, agriculture and extractive industries.

Masood Khan, on the occasion, gave a detailed perspective on Pak-US relations, war on terror, re-calibration of Pak-US relationship post withdrawal period, Pakistan-India relations and the issues of regional stability.

Tracing roots of Pak-US relations, especially US support during initial days of Pakistan and robust partnership of the two countries both in times of war and peace, the Ambassador presented a holistic view of relationship spanning over seven decades.

About war-on-terror, the Ambassador said both collaborated and together we broke the backbone of terrorist organizations. He said that in late 2021 and early 2022, the leadership of Pakistan and United States decided to recalibrate their relationship and decided that while we will continue our cooperation in counter terrorism, promote regional stability, maintain a dialogue, we would like to secure the region from any nuclear instability and so on.

He, regarding Pak-US economic partnership, said we would try to invest our time and energy in strengthening economic partnership between Pakistan and the United States. He said we have been succeeding in the areas of trade and investment, renewable energy, green technologies, combating climate change, health care, education and others.

On cooperation in science and technology, he said renewal of agreement between the two countries.

Referring to some most recent initiatives, especially the Green Alliance, the Ambassador also paid compliments to the efforts of US Ambassador in Pakistan for his proactive approach in promoting cooperation and fostering greater understanding between the two countries.

Talking about Pakistan’s relations with China, the Ambassador reiterated that Pakistan’s relations with China are not at the expense of its ties with the United States. Referring to the historic role played by Pakistan in bringing China and US closer to each other in early 70s, he said that Pakistan was willing to play the role of economic bridge between the two countries in the present age.

On Pak-India relations, Masood Khan said the gathering that there hasn’t been any structured dialogue between the two countries since 2014. Underscoring the need to have a result-oriented structured dialogue, he said we should create that kind of atmosphere for talking to each other.

Pointing out strategic imbalance in South Asia and US tilt towards India, Masood Khan urged US government to follow a balanced approach saying that US heavy tilt towards India is accentuating strategic imbalance which is fraught with serious risks.

The Ambassador also emphasized on full restoration of Foreign Military Financing and Foreign Military Sales and assistance to fight continued threats from terrorists.

On situation in Middle East, the Ambassador opined that the United States should demonstrate its leadership and assert itself.

The Ambassador invited the gathering to visit Pakistan and experience for themselves the breathtaking beauty of the country and traditional hospitality of Pakistani nation. He said Pakistan has 7500 glaciers which are second in number only to the polar region. He also highlighted that 70% of soccer balls used across the globe are produced in Sialkot, Pakistan.