ISLAMABAD, Jan 8 (APP): Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen their bilateral cooperation across various fields, with special focus on economic and security.
The pledge came during a meeting between Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, and the Chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Brian Mast, in Washington, according to a press statement issued by the Foreign Office on Thursday.
Both sides expressed a shared resolve to enhance the multifaceted partnership, underscoring its importance for mutual and regional stability.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged New Year greetings and reaffirmed the commitment to work together to further strengthen bilateral relations.
The ambassador thanked Chairman Mast for his leadership, efforts, and consistent support in promoting Pak-U.S. relations.
Referring to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s commitment to transform bilateral ties into a long-term, sustainable partnership based on economic cooperation, Rizwan Sheikh said 2026 should be declared a year of action.
He emphasized the need for a high-level economic dialogue between the two countries to commence at the earliest.
Stressing the importance of initiating a comprehensive and immediate dialogue in the fields of energy, defense, minerals, information technology, and artificial intelligence, the ambassador said Pakistan, with its low-cost and high-quality capabilities, has the potential to meet the growing needs of the American market.
Surgical instruments and products manufactured in Pakistan are renowned worldwide for their quality, he said adding that a favourable trade environment and due attention will lead to a guaranteed increase in textile and other Pakistani exports.
Furthermore, he informed that the continuous use of footballs manufactured in Sialkot in the last five FIFA World Cup matches is a testament to Pakistan’s capabilities in the sports goods sector.
Meanwhile, exchanging views on the regional situation, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed pointed out that terrorism emanating from Afghanistan poses serious threats to Pakistan’s security situation and regional and international peace.
Due to the activities of terrorists taking refuge in Afghanistan, terrorist incidents in Pakistan increased by 40% in 2024 and by a further 25% in 2025, he said and expressed serious concern over the continued illicit and aggressive use of weapons left behind at the time of withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The ambassador of Pakistan also invited Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, to visit Pakistan, saying that this visit will further strengthen parliamentary and public ties.