Washington:
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has stated that Islamabad aims to enhance its relationship with Washington across various sectors as the new US administration takes charge.
Speaking at an event in Washington, the envoy highlighted the robust trade ties between Pakistan and the US, emphasizing that Washington remains Pakistan’s largest trading partner.
“Trade has been the most stable aspect of our bilateral relationship. My top priority as ambassador is to expand economic diplomacy and strengthen commercial interactions,” he said.
He was addressing the “Ambassador Insider Series”, a platform where people can meet ambassadors and learn about their respective countries.
“Pakistan looks forward to deepening its partnership with the United States in security, trade, investment, and climate resilience to ensure a mutually beneficial future,” he added.
Outreach to US Lawmakers
According to an official statement from the Pakistani embassy, Ambassador Sheikh has met over 40 US Congress members in recent weeks to reconnect with re-elected representatives and establish new partnerships.
The Donald Trump administration, which recently took charge, has introduced new policies, including immigration restrictions and withdrawal from climate agreements.
Economic Relations & Investment
Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, also emphasized that Islamabad seeks to deepen its economic engagement with the US.
“The US is the world’s largest economy, and as we strive to improve our economic relations globally, the same applies to our relations with the US,” he stated.
A high-level US investment delegation, led by Texas hedge fund manager Gentry Beach, is currently on a two-day visit to Pakistan to enhance economic and bilateral ties.
Beach, a close business associate of President Donald Trump, is expected to play a key role in advancing investment agreements between the two countries.
Pakistan’s Economic Recovery & Democratic Stability
During the session, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and stabilizing the economy.
Highlighting Pakistan’s economic progress, he pointed to key indicators, including:
- Inflation reduction from 38% in May 2023 to 4.1% in December 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s economic policies.
- Pakistan’s IT sector is the second-largest contributor to global freelancing, behind only the US.
- Pakistan is a global leader in sports goods and surgical instruments manufacturing.
Regional Security & Counterterrorism Efforts
Addressing regional security concerns, Ambassador Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to fighting terrorism, stating that Pakistan has been both a frontline state and a victim of terrorism.
He also emphasized that Pakistan is now focusing on export-driven and self-sustaining investments to avoid past foreign exchange crises.
“We seek quality investments that generate their own revenue cycle and contribute to sustainable economic growth,” he said.
