Emphasizes on promoting Pak-US business linkages & people-to-people ties, expanding relations to the state level
“Time has come to transform our decades long relationship into a multifaceted economic partnership for the mutual benefit of our people and the region.”
“Pakistan is ripe for investment. Successful business ventures of nearly 80 US multinationals; the growing interest of Gulf region in various sectors of economy; adequate infrastructure and Government’s firm resolve towards ensuring investor-friendly regime has created a huge opportunity for US investors.”
“Climate Change, Clean and Green energy, Green technologies, agriculture, education, health, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, financial technologies, e-commerce, tech ecosystem and a host of other areas are low hanging fruits and high-yielding investments for US businesses.”
“We have decided to take decades-long Pak-US relationship to the level of states in order to promote people-to-people linkages and fostering strong economic partnerships.”
Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks his recent engagements with US lawmakers, Assembly Representatives, Governors and Ranking Officials. In a spree of meetings held at Washington DC, Connecticut, Dallas and New Mexico, Pakistan’s top envoy interacted with Senator Tom Cotton, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, Representative Keith Self, Ted Lieu, Jim Baird, Andy Kim and Congressman Rich McCormick. In Connecticut, the Ambassador also met State Senator Tony Hwang, Henri Martin, State Representative Tim Ackert, Tom Delnicki, Mark Anderson, Francis Rexford Cooley and Rocky Hill Mayor Lisa Moratta. He also interacted with Mayor Tim Keller of Albuquerque, Mayor Robert (Bob) Dubey of Richardson and Luke Bronin, Mayor of Hartford. At Connecticut, Masood Khan also met Governor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz to underscore the importance of strong economic partnership between Pakistan and the United States.
In a meeting with Senator Thomas Bryant Cotton, who is a member of Judiciary Committee, the Intelligence Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Joint Economic Committee, Ambassador Masood Khan underscored the need for a strong Pak-US partnership focusing on security and economic spheres as well as regional peace and security.
During meeting with Representative Stansburry, who is water resource management expert, the Ambassador underscored the need for greater Pak-US cooperation in mitigation adaptation to erratic climate changes stating that “Pakistan is grappling with the challenges of erratic climate change including the issue of water resource management which is critical to meet the requirements of population.
Interacting with Congressman Keith Self, Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in Dallas, and Representative Andy Kim, member Committee on Armed Services, Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation and Committee on Foreign Affairs, in Washington DC, Masood Khan discussed ways to forge closer Pak-US ties and enhanced cooperation in energy and climate change.
During meeting with Representative James R. Baird, Member Committee on Agriculture, Chairman Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and Committee on Foreign Affairs, the two sides exchanged views enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, biotechnology, IT and STEM sciences. They also discussed the issues related to threats posed by terrorism.
“Honored to meet Rep. Rich McCormick to discuss strengthening of Pak-US bilateral ties. Focused on avenues for economic and security cooperation, underpinned by shared values of democracy,” said the Ambassador in his tweet after meeting with Congressman Rich McCormick.
Rep. McCormick is a member of House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In New Mexico, the first ever visit of any Pakistani ambassador to the region, Masood Khan suggested establishment of sister state relationship between Pakistan and New Mexico during his meetings with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and Mayor Tim Keller of Albuquerque.
In Dallas, Masood Khan while acknowledging Texas’ position as a leader in both traditional energy sectors like oil and gas, as well as in renewable energy, proposed closer collaboration in those areas to diversify Pakistan’s energy sources and enhance its energy security. He also highlighted growing IT sector of Pakistan and the potential for collaboration with Texas’ robust tech sector, including semiconductor manufacturing.
“Don’t hold back. Invest in Pakistan with full confidence,” Masood Khan told leading businessmen and entrepreneurs while addressing Pak America Business Forum (PABF) Annual Award Banquet 2023 in Dallas.
During his interaction with Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Mayor of Hartford Luke Bronin, Masood Khan noted that the existing educational, cultural and other linkages between the people of Pakistan and Connecticut provided a very solid foundation to further strengthen bilateral ties especially in economic sphere.
He also highlighted that an estimated $6 trillion mineral treasure trove of Pakistan was ripe for leading US firms to invest and reap dividends of a lucrative market of 240 million people and its neighbor comprising of Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and North Africa.
“Our focused approach on improving ease of doing business, ensuring business friendly regulatory regime and providing one-window solutions guarantees profitable business ventures to leading US and other foreign investors,” he said.
During his visits to New Mexico, Dallas and Connecticut, the Ambassador interacted with Pak-American community and their leaders and stressed upon maintaining unity. He assured them that they can freely travel to Pakistan on their NICOP and the Embassy and its Consulates would continue providing every possible consular assistance including visas to overseas community.
Washington D.C. September 15, 2023
