In Washington, Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, advocated for increased American investment in Pakistan and enhanced trade between the two nations to bolster their relationship. Speaking at the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia, he encouraged US businesses to expand their investment ventures, particularly in sectors like technology startups, renewable energy, agriculture, and extractive industries.
Addressing a diverse audience including scholars, policymakers, legislators, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals, Ambassador Masood Khan highlighted Pakistan’s significance as a substantial market for American manufacturers, with a potential consumer base of 240 million people.
In his discourse, Ambassador Khan delved into various aspects of Pak-US relations, counter-terrorism cooperation, the recalibration of bilateral ties post-withdrawal, Pakistan-India relations, and regional stability issues. He emphasized the existing investment and trade opportunities between the two countries as crucial elements strengthening their relationship.
Reflecting on the historical trajectory of Pak-US relations and acknowledging US support since Pakistan’s inception, Ambassador Khan underscored the evolution of their partnership into a people-centric diplomacy approach. He highlighted Pakistan’s growing human capital, digital connectivity, and investments in future technologies as pivotal factors in its development.
Regarding counter-terrorism efforts, Ambassador Khan praised the collaborative efforts between Pakistan and the US, emphasizing the decline of terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda. He also highlighted the recent reset in Pak-US relations, focusing on continued cooperation in counter-terrorism, regional stability, and economic partnership.
Ambassador Khan emphasized that Pakistan’s relations with China do not come at the expense of its ties with the United States. He reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to act as an economic bridge between China and the US, reminiscent of its historical role in the early 1970s.
Addressing Pak-India relations, Ambassador Khan lamented the absence of structured dialogue since 2014, advocating for a result-oriented approach to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue. He also urged the US to adopt a balanced approach in South Asia to avoid exacerbating strategic imbalances.
Touching upon the Middle East situation, Ambassador Khan called upon the United States to assert its leadership. He concluded by inviting participants to visit Pakistan, highlighting its natural beauty and traditional hospitality.
Ambassador Khan expressed gratitude to Lauren Swartz, President & CEO of the World Affairs Council, Philadelphia, for hosting him.
