KARACHI, Sept 13: US legislation on Reconstruction Opportunities Zones in the Northern Areas of Pakistan will be completed within a couple of months, said the US consul-general in Karachi, Ms Kay L Anske, at a luncheon gathering of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

“The US has initiated a long-term programme to bring prosperity in economically-depressed areas with the sole objective of enhancing Pakistan’s economic strength,’’ the US consul-general declared while pointing out that ROZs were a revolutionary idea as output from these areas will have duty-free access in the US market.

She informed Karachi businessmen that Mary Beth Goodman had arrived in US embassy Islamabad as deputy economic consul and will be responsible for ROZs.

She disagreed with an observation that her government’s travel advisories are politically-motivated.

“Advisories have been issued in respect of Mexico, a neighbour of US and Nafta partner,’’ she informed while explaining that these advisories are issued by her government for security of citizens.

Ms Anske was all praise for the KCCI for taking a delegation to her country which has brought tangible gains.

Responding to another observation, the US diplomat made it clear that the law of her country has made it obligatory to anyone seeking US visa to appear in person at the Embassy “and it is only for discreet reasons that personal appearance is waived.’’

Under the law, the visa issuance is centralised in the embassy at Islamabad.

Regarding the proposal of pre-screening of documents at Karachi to ensure that these conform to the prescribed criteria, she said it can be done only at the embassy in Islamabad. Nonetheless, she promised to convey KCCI proposal to her embassy.

Ms Anske agreed with a proposal of Mr Siraj Kassim Teli of more frequent interaction between KCCI and the local US Consulate.

Earlier, Majyd Aziz, KCCI president, in his welcome remarks touched upon various aspects of bilateral economic relations and offered KCCI views on Bilateral Investment Treaty, Intellectual Property Rights, Travel Advisories, ROZs and his observations as leader of the delegation that visited the US.