WASHINGTON: Pakistan and the US, as longstanding strategic allies, will continue to advance their common agenda to counter terrorism, promote regional stability and strengthen defense ties, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan said on Thursday. That the incidents of terrorism are increasing in the country.
Masood Khan said these things during a special discussion on “Road Ahead: US-Pakistan Relations and Regional Dynamics in 2023” organized by the famous American think tank Stimson Center in Washington.
He said that for the resurgence of terrorism, there is a need for strong security cooperation between Pakistan and the United States and removal of obstacles that hinder it.
“We will expand our partnership in the economic arena. Promote trade, investment and entrepreneurship; and expand cooperation in the areas of energy, health, education, climate change and agriculture,” he continued.
Masood Khan said that the political environment is suitable for this kind of cooperation in 2023.
Expressing his views on regional and international developments, Masood Khan predicted to the audience that the geopolitical situation will remain complex in 2023, without undermining the existing interdependence.
“Developments in and around Ukraine, however, have added to the ambiguity and disrupted familiar fault lines in Europe,” he said.
“We hope that all nations will use strategic pragmatism to solve problems and promote geo-economic connectivity to promote shared prosperity. Bloc politics in this day and age will threaten world peace. Above all, we must continue our struggle for the rule of international law and justice. We hope that the United Nations will cooperate and compete to fulfill its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and avoid conflict. “
Regarding Pakistan’s relations with the US and China, Masood Khan said that whenever tensions arise, Pakistan has appreciated the statesmanship shown by the US and China to include each other.
“Economic dependence among them is normal.”
The ambassador said that Pakistan would not like to choose between the two countries but would like to be a bridge if possible.
Emphasizing the need for comprehensive dialogue and resolution of all issues between Pakistan and India, the ambassador warned that the absence of any dialogue or communication between India and Pakistan is dangerous.
Discussing the recent climate change-induced disaster in Pakistan, the ambassador thanked Washington for its generous $97 million in humanitarian aid for flood relief and said, “We take this assurance to heart. deeply appreciate that it will be our climate-resilient, inclusive and people-participatory post-flood rehabilitation and recovery strategy.
During the conversation, Masood Khan also highlighted the strengths and current economic opportunities in Pakistan that provide a solid foundation for the future path of Pakistan-US relations.
“Pakistan is a nation of destiny. Given its economic strengths and contributions, the World Bank and Goldman Sachs, among others, see Pakistan as one of the world’s leading economies by 2047, when it will turn 100 years old. Seventh largest economy by 2030.
Goldman Sachs in its latest research report has shown Pakistan’s economy to be sixth in 2075,” Ambassador Khan said.
