Nuaman Ishfaq Mughal
Charlotte, NC: In a address at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Masood Khan emphasized the need for Pakistan to bolster its defense capabilities due to the challenging environment posed by its neighbors. He expressed hope for the continuation of defense relations between Pakistan and the United States (U.S.).
Ambassador Khan stressed the importance of both nations investing in security and non-security sectors. He urged Pakistan and the United States to work together through all diplomatic means to ensure regional peace and stability. Furthermore, he highlighted the need for both countries to focus on trade and investment, particularly increasing direct foreign investment from the United States into Pakistan.
During his two-day visit to North Carolina, a southeastern U.S. state with a population of approximately 10 million and a GDP of $560 billion, Ambassador Khan briefed attendees on the Pakistan-U.S. relationship. He described the relationship as value-based, with a history of strategic partnership despite fluctuations and differences of opinion.
Speaking on the post-withdrawal period from Afghanistan, Ambassador Khan mentioned Pakistan’s role in safely evacuating allied troops and assisting in the relocation of 75,000 Afghans. He added that Pakistan is currently aiding Afghans awaiting U.S. visas.
Highlighting the growth of Pakistan’s tech industry as a hopeful aspect of strengthening Pakistan-U.S. relations, Khan remarked that Pakistan was rapidly becoming part of a developing ecosystem. He pointed out that American venture capitalists were funding Pakistani tech startups and that approximately 80 American companies, most of which are Fortune 500, were conducting profitable business ventures in Pakistan.
Ambassador Khan asserted that Pakistan was on its way to becoming a tech hub in the region. He noted that the United States was the largest exporter of goods and services to Pakistan, amounting to $8.4 billion, and suggested that cooperation in healthcare, climate change, technology, and agriculture should be further strengthened.
Responding to a question about the country’s tourism potential, the ambassador showcased the various types of tourism in Pakistan, including adventure, religious, and environmental tourism, which attract millions of tourists from around the world each year. He invited participants to visit Pakistan and experience the country’s rich tourism potential firsthand.