Ahsan Iqbal stresses development-centric foundation for Pak-US bilateral ties
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US Congressional Delegation (Codel), led by Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), along with Representatives Thomas Richard Suozzi, Jonathan L Jackson, and other senior US officials, meets Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad, April 12, 2025. — PID
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ISLAMABAD: Focusing on development cooperation in key sectors like education, energy, climate change, infrastructure, and information technology, the Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, has emphasized the need to create a new foundation for Pakistan-US bilateral relations.
He made these comments during a meeting with the US Congress delegation (Kodel), headed by Representative Jackberg Man (RMI), with Thomas Richard Sussezzi, Jonathan L. Jackson, and other senior US officials in Islamabad.
A news release states that the meeting focuses on strengthening the bilateral relations of Pakistan-US, especially in the realm of development cooperation and future cooperation in various fields.
Welcoming the delegation, Iqbal highlighted the deep root relations between Pakistan and the United States, identified shared values, mutual respect, and a joint commitment to development. Pakistani Travel Guides
He emphasized that Pakistan’s long -term and broad -based relations with the United States are an important pillar of its foreign policy.
He said that a strong partnership between the two countries plays a significant role in regional stability and global peace, especially in an unstable global environment.
In the facts of the new geopolitics, a new balance in the Pak-US relations based on the ground realities, mutual trust and development needs to be established.
Iqbal highlighted the need to understand Pakistan’s socio -economic challenges as a result of two US -led wars in the region.
Pakistan has taken the burden and burden of more than three and a half million refugees for more than three decades, drugs and guns are operating in the society and at the height of extremism.
The Minister emphasized the need to establish a new foundation for bilateral relations focused on development, especially in education, energy, climate change, infrastructure and information technology.
Attending his academic experience in the United States, Iqbal recognized the impact of the transformation of US higher education in the formation of world leaders and innovators.
He cited measures like the Fulbright Scholarship Program, which is the largest of its kind in the world, which has empowered thousands of Pakistani students to access world -class education and make meaningful partnerships in national development.
Recommending to promote cooperation in the field of education, the Minister emphasized the importance of “Pakistan -America Corridor” and the establishment of an advanced US universities in Pakistan, and assured full facility by the government.
He called for educational partnerships and joint programs to develop a highly skilled human resource base, which is the most important for Pakistan’s sustainable development and future prosperity.
Referring to the devastating flood of 2022, Ahsan Iqbal remembered the immense economic loss of more than $ 30 billion, which affected about one -third of the country.
He highlighted the importance of new cooperation in the preparation of climate and destruction.
In the agricultural sector, the Minister noted the success of the Green Revolution in the 1960s, which was possible through US support, which helped Pakistan achieve food safety by introducing high varieties of wheat in high production.
He called for the “Green Revolution 2.0” in the face of climate change, which advocates for smart and climate -related agriculture through technology transfer and joint ventures.
Referring to the information technology sector, he described it as the most enthusiastic field of Pakistan run by a young and talented population.
He said that Pakistan has emerged as the third largest supplier of freelance IT professionals globally, which specializes in global standards.
He welcomed the interest of US companies seeking to expand their presence in Pakistan and described the youth as the country’s most valuable asset, which is capable of turning the challenges into opportunities.
The minister also highlighted key measures like the “Uran Pakistan” program and the government’s “5ES framework”, which aims to solve economic problems by 2047 and keep Pakistan on the path to sustainable development. Pakistani Travel Guides
The framework focuses on five priority sectors: exports, e -Pakistan, environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment.
He emphasized the need to increase Pakistan’s exports for permanent economic growth.
The Minister highlighted that peace and harmony, political stability, continuation of policies and stability of reform are a prerequisite for a permanent economic growth, which states that no country can develop in the absence of the economic system based on these factors.
In the past, Pakistan has been facing political stability and lack of continuity of policies. He explained the reforms made by the government.
He further identified the key role of small and medium -sized businesses (SMEs) in running economic growth and called for increasing cooperation with US businesses in the area.
The US delegation expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and praised Prime Minister Ahsan Iqbal for his vision and leadership, calling him a symbol of values that the United States tries to promote Pakistan.
He recognized Pakistan’s immense potential in various sectors and emphasized the need to include the private sector to unlock investment opportunities and to build investors’ confidence.
The delegation confirmed their commitment to strengthen strategic relations between the two countries and enhance cooperation in key sectors.
The delegation invited the Minister to attend a seminar in DC on April 30, 2025, to promote PAC-US relations in Washington DC.
Finally, Iqbal welcomed the US move to hold the symposium on Pakistan at the Library of Congress on April 30 as a positive development of the Congress exchange with Pakistan.
He reiterated that Pakistan, as an emerging democracy, is undergoing important stages of development and is ready to work with its international partners in building a prosperous future.
