LAHORE: The United States Secretary of State, Mr William P. Rogers, said here today [May 24] that Pakistan’s success in economic development has been an object of admiration to America and much of the rest of the world.

In his statement, read out to newsmen at Lahore airport on his arrival from New Delhi on a 19-hour visit, Mr Rogers said America had contributed to the economic development in Pakistan as best as it could. He hoped to have an opportunity of discussing Pakistan’s plans for continued economic growth with the President, Gen A.M. Yahya Khan and other Pakistani leaders.

Mr Rogers, who was accompanied by Mr Joseph Sisco, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, flew into Lahore by a White House jet 15 minutes behind schedule. He was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Mr S.M. Yusuf, US Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr Benjamin H. Oehlert, Counsellor of US Administrative Affairs, Mr Virgil Moore and the Martial Law Administrator, Zone ‘A’ Lt-Gen Atiqur Rahman.

Mr Rogers said he was pleased to accept the invitation of the Government of Pakistan to stop in the fifth largest nation of the world for a visit in the course of his current trip.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2019