ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have long history of partnership and cooperation and both have always worked to strengthen it with each passing day. This has been stated by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while addressing a cake cutting ceremony held here at the National Press Club in connection with the 248th Independence Day of the United States.
He said that the United States is one of Pakistan's largest trading partners. Numerous bilateral trade agreements and investments have been made in multiple sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, technology, and manufacturing and both the nations have cooperated closely on security and counter-terrorism efforts, with Pakistan playing a crucial role in regional stability and counter-terrorism operations.
He further said that the educational programs and scholarships, such as the Fulbright Program, have enabled thousands of Pakistani students to study in the USA, fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange, adding that the US has been a significant provider of humanitarian aid to Pakistan, especially during natural disasters like earthquakes and floods.
The ICCI President made the mention of USAID and other American organizations contributions in development projects in Pakistan, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure development, contributing to the nation's progress.
He expressed the hope that in the days to come Pak-US relationship will continue to grow in all the fields especially people to people and business to business which will go a long way in further strengthening this collaboration engagement.
It is noteworthy, that a delegation led by New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos and Chairman American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee, Dr. Ijaz Ahmed also participated in the celebration and emphasized the need to increase the bilateral relations between Pakistan and United States in different spheres including education, health and people to people contactS for promoting socio- cultural integration.
They also urged for enhancing media cooperation on both the sides. Deputy Assistant Secretary Phil Remus shared suggestions how to improve the existing bilateral ties and also proposed to declare the New York as a twin province with Punjab and as well as Sindh.
Phil Ramos praised Pakistani community’s contributions in the US by emphasizing the need for strong educational foundations and people-to-people contacts to overcome barriers and foster closer ties between the two nations.
Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, Chairman American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC), stated that the Pakistani community is keen to invest in their homeland and called for maximum facilitation and cooperation for the initiative.
Alec Brook Cressey, Member of New York Assembly said that Pakistan has a better education system for nurses and Pakistani professional nurses can work in USA on good salaries, adding that “We have identified schools in New York and Pakistan for cultural exchange and Pakistani students can learn history from an American teacher and American children as well can learn from a Pakistani teacher.” President Pakistan Union of Journalists Afzal But said that People to people contacts and cooperation between the journalist communities of both sides must for enhancing this relationship.
Meanwhile on the occasion, Secretary NPC, Nayyer Ali and Finance Secretary NPC, Waqar Abbasi also spoke on the different expect of Pakistan US relations.
