ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Interior Jawad Sohrab Malik and US ambassador Donald Blome on Wednesday agreed that the recent momentum in high-level bilateral exchanges, structured and broad-based Pakistan-US engagement were critical to advancing both countries’ shared goals in both bilateral and regional domains.

The special assistant met the US ambassador and discussed matters of national and strategic importance encompassing regional security, diplomatic ties and facilitation on Afghan refugees as well as shared goals in fostering peace and cooperation between the two states.

Commenting upon the continuity of a strategic dialogue in the right direction, which includes cooperation in education, science and technology, energy, economy, security, agriculture, Mr Malik asserted that strategic convergence should define the future relationship between the two sides as there was a need for building on convergences and positive messaging coupled with transforming relationship as people-centered.

The special assistant underscored that various dialogues established between Pakistan and the US had been playing a critical role in strengthening bilateral ties in the areas of trade, investment, IT, climate change, health and energy. Both sides emphasised that American companies needed to be encouraged by the Development Finance Corporation of the US to invest in Pakistan’s large market keeping in view the country’s economic and demographic potential.

The US ambassador and the special assistant on interior also discussed issues related to the US missions in Pakistan. Mr Malik assured the US ambassador that he will be taking immediate steps to resolve these matters. The US, like Pakistan has an abiding interest in peace and stability in South Asia. The US support for economic stability of Pakistan with ensuring enhanced market access for Pakistani products in the US would help cement the relationship.

Donald Blome expressed keen interest in fostering a sustainable relationship with Pakistan that held strategic geopolitical importance in the region and expressed a greater US understanding of Pakistan’s security and strategic concerns in current scenario.

He affirmed his resolve that both states need to build up on high-level talks on issues that are of common interest to both countries, including security and economic issues.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2023