Remarks by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson
Ambassador Khan and distinguished guests, it is my pleasure to be with you this evening to celebrate Pakistan’s National Day. I am especially honored this year as we commemorate 75 years of strong bilateral ties, and am grateful that, for the first time in three years, we are able to celebrate in-person. Since August 1947, when the United States became the first country to extend full diplomatic recognition to Pakistan, we have worked together to advance our shared vision of peace and prosperity in the region. I am proud to represent the United States today in carrying on this long tradition of American partnership with Pakistan.
Despite the global disruption of the pandemic, we have continued to work together on building shared prosperity. U.S.-Pakistan trade increased last year by approximately 200 million dollars in critical areas, such as agriculture and energy, providing mutual benefits to Pakistanis and Americans. Our countries also remain close partners on building the security and stability necessary to achieve that shared prosperity. The United States remain committed to partnership with Pakistan on combating the scourge of terrorism wherever it lies. We support Pakistan’s counterterrorism programs and mourn with Pakistan for the civilians who lost their lives to terrorism, and members of the Pakistani security forces who have given everything to protect life and freedom.
We seek to build on existing cooperation with Pakistan to advance shared priorities including fostering economic growth and regional connectivity, addressing COVID-19 and the climate crisis, and ensuring stability for the broader region. Our many senior-level engagements over the past year included the launch of the Climate and Environment Working Group, the restart of the Energy Dialogue, our high-level Trade and Investment Framework Agreement session in Islamabad earlier this month, and a planned first-ever Health Dialogue here in Washington soon, among many other engagements that underscore the importance we place on our relationship.
One particular highlight in our cooperation has been our valuable partnership with Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19. When the pandemic first spread in the United States, Pakistan generously airlifted medical supplies and assistance, for which we are grateful. For our part, to date, the United States has donated over 57 million COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan. We have also provided 200 ventilators, 1,200 pulse oximeters, and $69 million in COVID-19 assistance to Pakistan for testing, training, and upgrading Pakistan’s emergency operations centers.
Our two countries’ deep and multifaceted people-to-people ties also showcase the strong connections of our nations. We will also continue to mobilize talent to boost Pakistan’s economic growth, including through recognition of the essential role of Pakistan’s diaspora communities which critically boost both American enterprise and Pakistan’s economic resources, and support for women’s economic advancement. Through the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council (USPWC), a unique public-private partnership between the State Department and Texas A&M University, for instance, we have demonstrated the tremendous power of businesses, philanthropy, and people of our two countries to help high-potential women and girls rise in the formal economy.
In the critical field of education, I highlight that for more than 70 years, Pakistan has been an important partner in expanding educational opportunities through the largest Fulbright Program in the world, one of the U.S. government’s largest exchange portfolios overall. Each year, approximately 800 Pakistanis travel to the United States on educational and cultural exchange programs, from high schoolers to PhD candidates. Our alumni network in Pakistan just crossed 37,000 members, all of whom are committed to using the experience they gained in the United States to make meaningful contributions to Pakistan through community service, mentoring, and inspiring future generations.
I also would like to thank Pakistan for its extraordinary cooperation facilitating the transit and relocation of U.S. citizens and U.S.-affiliated Afghans since August 15. We simply could not have evacuated our citizens, employees, and partners, without daily Pakistani assistance.
As we celebrate your national day, I want to underscore that Pakistan remains a close and valued partner of the United States, and our relationship is founded on mutual respect. We look forward to tapping our shared potential and strengthening our partnership with Pakistan in the year ahead as we tackle shared challenges. We believe that Pakistan’s role is, and will continue to be, vital in ensuring peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Again, thank you for inviting me to participate in this celebration. It is my honor to celebrate Pakistan’s National Day with all of you. On behalf of Secretary Blinken and the American people– congratulations and thank you.
Pakistan-Amreeka Zindabad!
Washington D.C March 23, 2022
