United States (US) wants to see Pakistan as a secure, peaceful, prosper, democratically and economically stable country free from the menace of terrorism. Thomas Williams, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Islamabad on Monday expressed these views while addressing 'US Exchange Programme Alumni from Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan Garner Innovation Awards' ceremony. He said US was also ready to help the flood affected people particularly in Punjab.
He said US wanted that stalled dialogues process between Pakistan and India should be started to resolve their disputes peacefully. Thomas Williams said US government invested an estimated $40 million per annum on exchange programmes for Pakistani citizens. More than 1,200 Pakistanis participate each year in various high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional US-sponsored exchange programmes.
He said Pakistan-US Alumni Network (PUAN) was one of the largest US alumni networks in the world, with 12 regional chapters nation-wide. Its mission is to encourage people-to-people relations between Pakistanis and Americans. "Consisting of more than 14,000 students and professionals who have participated in US government-sponsored exchange programmes, PUAN organises a number of events in Pakistan, including community service projects, leadership training, roundtable discussions and community engagement activities," he said.
"Today's reunion shows how much talent, creativity, and passion is available in Pakistan. It also demonstrates how much we can accomplish when we work together as partners," Thomas William said. He also acknowledged alumni projects in Sukkur and Hunza as well as distinguished alumni who made significant contributions to PUAN. More than 700 alumni of US government-sponsored exchange programmes on Monday gathered in Islamabad to recognise innovation in community service by members of PUAN. This fourth annual reunion of the PUAN Islamabad Chapter brought together politicians, parliamentarians, scholars, journalists, professionals, and students - all of whom are alumni of US exchange programmes - to share experiences and commit to building trust and understanding between the United States and Pakistan.
PUAN Country President, Haseeb Kiyani, encouraged participants to volunteer for the network's activities to spread the knowledge they gained in the US throughout Pakistan. He said the network also recognised several prominent alumni and volunteer mentors who had given back to their communities with Distinguished Alumni and Emerging Leader awards. PUAN alumni have organised numerous community activities in the Islamabad area, including environmental conservation programmes, leadership training exercises, and a 3,000-person live music event, he said.
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