WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s new Ambassador to United States H.E. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry has said that Pakistan and United States had a historic & multi faceted relationship spanning over seven decades.
Pakistan is looking forward to work closely with the new US administration in order to further strengthen bilateral relations and to bring people from both the countries closer to each other.
He was talking to the Pakistani media persons based in Washington DC, Friday. Ambassador Chaudhry informed the journalists that today Pakistan is well on its way to a future of peace & prosperity. Leadership, Security forces and the People of Pakistan had demonstrated supreme resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
Zarb-e-Azab has achieved a resounding success. The Tribal areas have been cleared from these hideouts created by terrorists. Temporarily Displaced People (TDP’s) have returned to their homes and FATA is now being mainstreamed to the political governance of the country.
Peace has returned to Karachi and all across the length and breadth of the country. Several high officials including from the United States have visited and witnessed for themselves the gains of peace and security in Pakistan.
Ambassador Chaudhry stated that the improved security situation and the economic reforms have led to a revival of the economy which is now growing at the rate of 4.7pc.
All economic indicators are pointing upwards. Energy deficit will soon be a matter of past. The resurgence in the economy is attracting investors from all across the world. Recently held Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit was a clear message that Pakistan stands for connectivity and regional cooperation for shared prosperity.
Referring to a question regarding relations with Afghanistan, Ambassador Chaudhry mentioned that peace in Afghanistan remains a high priority for the Government & people of Pakistan. Pakistan believes that Governments of Pakistan & Afghanistan need to cooperate to stop cross border movement of terrorists. He underscored the importance of effective border management which is in common interest of both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The Ambassador further informed the journalists that the recent initiative to reach out to the Afghan Government which led to a meeting between Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and Afghan National Security Advisor in London was an important step in the direction aiming at close coordination and cooperation between the two Governments.
In response to another question regarding his priorities as the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Chaudhry stated that it was his Mission to further strengthen Pakistan’s relations with the US and win friends for Pakistan in American polity. He said that it is important for the world to see the positive constructive reality of today’s Pakistan. Underlining the important role that Pakistani American community is playing in the United States, Ambassador Chaudhry stated that in line with the directions of the leadership it would be his top priority to serve the community and address their issues and interests with missionary zeal.
The Embassy of Pakistan hosted Mr. Cody Swartzentruber, Student Ambassador to Pakistan currently working on the project titled “Exploring the World” along with his class fellows on Friday. Mr. Cody Swartzentruber is an 8th Grade student in a high profile Greenwood Mennonite School where 219 students have been allocated different countries of the world under a project to explore similarities and differences in countries across the globe.
Student Ambassador to Pakistan Mr. Cody had written a letter to the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain in Dec 2016 to gain insight into Pakistan. The President of Pakistan appreciated ‘Exploring the World’ project and responded via a letter to the Student along with his signed Photographs as Leader of Pakistan to fulfill requirements of the project mentioned above.
On the Occasion, the Pakistan Ambassador to the US Aizaz Chaudhry presented a letter and signed Photographs of the President of Pakistan to Mr. Cody. President Mamnoon Hussain in his letter conveyed him the message to visit Pakistan to make new friends.
Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry stressed the need for such people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and USA in different fields to strengthen bilateral relations. Chaudhry wished Mr. Cody well and extended standing invitation to the Student Ambassador to visit Embassy of Pakistan as and when required in line with the Project.—APP
