Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding cooperation with the United States, saying Islamabad is eager to strengthen bilateral ties in key sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, information technology, mining and energy.
He expressed these views during a meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday with a visiting U.S. Congressional delegation comprising Congressmen Ryan Zinke and Michael Baumgartner.
Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister described the visit as a positive step towards further deepening Pakistan-U.S. relations.
He also congratulated the American people and the visiting lawmakers on the 250th anniversary of U.S Independence and conveyed his best wishes to U.S. President Donald Trump.
During the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif recalled President Trump’s intervention in May last year, saying his efforts helped bring hostilities between Pakistan and India to an end through a ceasefire and contributed to preventing a wider conflict.
The visiting Congressmen thanked the prime minister for the warm reception and said President Trump shared a strong relationship with Pakistan’s leadership, which they believed was helping strengthen bilateral ties. They also appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting peace and stability across the region.
Both sides agreed to enhance parliamentary engagement by increasing the frequency of exchanges between U.S. Congressional delegations and Pakistani parliamentary representatives.
Later, the prime minister hosted a reception for a visiting delegation of U.S. corporate executives representing a range of industries, including information technology, technology, energy, mining and manufacturing.
Addressing the business leaders, Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to build a stronger long-term partnership with the United States, emphasizing that economic collaboration remains a cornerstone of the relationship.
He encouraged more American companies to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan across various sectors, highlighting the potential for mutually beneficial partnerships.
The prime minister also acknowledged the important contribution of the Pakistani-American community, saying the diaspora serves as a valuable link in strengthening relations between Pakistan and the United States.