US Ambassador Anne W Patterson and Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar A Khuhro on Thursday jointly performed the ground breaking of new US consulate building to be constructed here at a cost of $175 million.
Terming it a milestone in the long US diplomatic presence in the metropolis of Karachi, US envoy said the ground breaking was a symbol of the strong relationship the United States and Pakistan have enjoyed for more than 60 years.
US Consul General Kay L Anske, Sindh Ministers Pir Mazharul Haq, Faisal Sabzwari, Agh Siraj Durrani, Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza, Dr Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri, Deputy Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Saudi Consul General Dr Hasan Al Attar were also present on the occasion.
She said that new Consulate will be completed in 2010 over an area of 20.5 acres and serve Pakistani and American alike whether they live in Sindh or Balochistan. Patterson said that American and Pakistani companies will continue to work together to build profitable business here and expand economic opportunities.
Local subcontractors will carry out $12 million in work in the project, which involves $14 million in materials and services from local providers. About 175 people from Karachi will come to work here every day. She said that United States has been a strongest supporter of Pakistan continuing democratic development.
We work to the close productive working relationship with the officials of new government and political parties and with civil society so that we can continue to cooperate and benefit Pakistan people, she added.
Talking of the visa issue in Karachi, she said that US was studying this issue closely and other way in which we can have the commercial and business ties between the two countries. This issue is a matter of concern for some of political leaders and they had often mentioned this to me, she added. Later, she performed the ground breaking along with Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar A Khuhro.
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