Pakistan and the United States are working on increasing co-operation between their universities as well as seeking more scholarships for higher education for Pakistani students in America, Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Jalil Abbas Jilani said here on Saturday.
The ambassador said this in remarks at the second Convention of Pakistani-American Community hosted by the Pakistani embassy, attended by a large number of community leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, representatives of Pakistani community organisations, political activists and members of civil society and academicians.
Jonathan Carpenter, Deputy Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan presented an overview of Pakistan-US relations, while Michael J. Delaney, Assistant US Trade Representative for South Asia gave an overview of trade ties between the two countries.
Congresswoman Shiela Jackson Lee, the Chairperson of Pakistani Caucus in the US House of Representatives in her video message appreciated the positive contributions of the Pakistan-American diaspora in the United States in all walks of life.
The convention is part of ambassador's efforts to reach out and engage the Pakistani American community and was attended by the Consuls General of Pakistan in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Huston.
Presentations were made to update the Pakistani American community on economic and security front, the rising business opportunity in the wake of improved security situation, as well as the regional situation and the current status of ties with the United State.
Ambassador Jilani gave an overview of the Pak-US relations which he said would get a further boost by the upcoming visit by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif later this month.
He said ties with the United States were now on much stable and firm footing compared to 2013 and on that with more convergence on regional stability, economic integration and mutual desire to expand people to people contacts, the Pak-US bilateral relations were "transforming into a long term and mutually beneficial partnership."
"There is also more understanding and better appreciation of each other's concerns," the ambassador added.
He appreciated the support of the United States in various sectors, more importantly energy, and the assistance to fight terrorism. Pakistan and US were working closely for restoring peace and stability in the region, and were engaged in frank and candid conversations with regarding to pursuing reconciliation with Afghanistan, he added.
In the energy sector, the United States supported Pakistan in the World Bank on Dasu Hydropower Project and also organised Diamir Bhasha Dam last October. The US has also pledge support in this $ 14 billion mega project.
In the area of counter-terrorism, the ambassador said, the United States is helping Pakistan by provision of necessary precision strike technology as well as in the rehabilitation of displaced people from FATA.
The ambassador was happy to note that the two countries have agreed to establish a Working Group on Education, Science and Technology and experts from two sides are now working to enhance co-operation between the universities and other educational institutions as well as seeking more scholarship for higher education for Pakistani students in the United States.
Giving an overview of the economic situation, he said that economic indicators suggest an upswing in the economic activity, which has been duly acknowledged by the global rating agencies as well international donor agencies.
Pakistan's growing engagement with the World Bank is evidenced by the approval of an unprecedented $11 billion Country Partnership Strategy for Pakistan for 2015-2019 and release of eighth tranche of $504 million by the IMF are proof of international community's growing confidence in the state and direction of the Pakistan's economy.
On the energy front, the ambassador said the government has finalised the roadmap to install 21,000 MW of cheap energy in the short, medium and long term. The government has already added 3,000 MW of electricity to the national grid, and by 2017, another 8,000 MW would be added which will help overcome the energy shortages.
The Ambassador said that with the conclusion of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor in April this year, which will attract $46 billion investment into the country, will be a game-changer in turning Pakistan's economic fortunes.
Ambassador Jilani informed the participations about the multiple steps being taken by the government to improve the security situation, most important of which has been the operation Zarb-e-Azab that was launched in June 2014 in North Waziristan.
He said over 90 percent of the areas previously used as safe havens in North Waziristan have been cleared and terrorist command and control infrastructure completely destroyed.
The participants were informed that two-way Pakistan-US bilateral trade was close to $6 billion with Pakistan enjoying a trade surplus of $2.2 billion. Pakistan's total exports to the United States is about $3.7 billion, with top 20 exports are textiles and apparel based.
Trade Minister at the Embassy, Khurrum Agha, told the participants that the United States has renewed GSP on June 29 this year which will remain in force till end-2017.
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