Daily Times

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that Pakistan and the US needed to work together to achieve the common objectives of peace and stability in the region, especially in Afghanistan.

He held a public talk at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University, speaking at the World Affairs Council and addressed a gathering of Pakistani-Americans community in Pittsburgh.

While talking at the Carnegie Mellon University, the ambassador emphasised the need for strong Pakistan-US relations.

He recalled that for 70 years, the two countries had worked together in a broad range of areas from education and health to commerce and information technology. He also recalled how the two countries had worked effectively to defeat the evil forces of al Qaeda. He said that Pakistan’s successes both in security and economic domains must be recognised and appreciated.

“The people of Pakistan expect the relationship to be based on mutual respect and mutual trust,” Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said.

He noted with appreciation, the growing bilateral trade and investment ties, and the interest that corporate America was taking in the economic opportunities being unleashed in Pakistan, due to the recent upswing in the economy of Pakistan.

Earlier in the day, while addressing Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Series at the World Affairs Council, where he was welcomed by the institution’s President Angelica Ocampo, the ambassador highlighted the achievements and sacrifices of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism. He said that Pakistan had made concrete progress in eradicating the scourge of terrorism from its soil.

Terrorists are now on the run and through intelligence-based operation Radul Fasaad, the remaining terrorist elements were being tracked down. Referring to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, the ambassador expressed the concern that the instability in Afghanistan could undermine the peace and stability of the region. Replying to a question, he stated that there was no military solution to the Afghan problem and urged a comprehensive political approach to achieve a lasting peace in Afghanistan. He highlighted the role that effective border management can play in interdicting the cross border movement of terrorists. He also urged the early repatriation of Afghan refugees as increasingly Taliban and other terrorists were morphing into the refugee camps.

In his remarks to the Pakistani-Americans, Chaudhry appreciated the important contributions that Pakistani-Americans had made to the progress and prosperity of the US. The ambassador noted that the Pakistani diaspora was serving as a strong bridge between Pakistan and the US.

“The embassy and our four consulates remain committed to serving the consular needs of the community,” he said.

He also appreciated the role of the community in promoting the values of tolerance, harmony and understanding.

Published in Daily Times, February 24^th 2018.