Islamabad, 5 September 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, received US Congressional delegation to Pakistan for a three-day visit.
The delegation was led by congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and comprised of congressman Thomas Suozzi and congressman Alexander Green. Democrat leader of Pakistani origin Tahir Javed also accompanied them.
Pleased to meet visiting US Congres Delegation led by Rep. @JacksonLeeTX18.
Thanking 🇺🇸 govt, exchanged on:
– short-term relief/rescue efforts & rehabilitation
– Climate Justice, mitigation, resilience & adaptation.
– Reaffirmed stronger🇵🇰🇺🇸partnership & continued engagement pic.twitter.com/f9b1coZ9Mi— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) September 5, 2022
US flood assistance to Pakistan
The visit comes amidst the devastating floods in Pakistan. Therefore, the purpose of the visit is to assess the damages in the flood affected areas of Pakistan.
During the three days of the visit, the delegation would also visit flood affected areas of Sindh, Balochistan, and south Punjab.
As far as the eye could see, I saw water; we were the first US delegation to visit the most devastating and deadly flooding in Pakistani history. A flood of historic proportion, really a monster of a disaster. pic.twitter.com/I7SnnIbcED
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) September 4, 2022
Prior to the visit, congresswoman Jackson told media at Houston airport that they will take “all possible steps” to help flood victims. She urged the US to offer help with possible airlifts of food and necessities to isolated and starving people.
Highlights from the visit
The Foreign Minister received the US Congressional delegation for a high-level meeting to address the urgent calamity-stricken state of floods in Pakistan.
The two sides exchanged views on short-term relief, rescue efforts, and rehabilitation by the US. Additionally, climate justice, mitigation, resilience, and adaptation as part of a long-term agenda to address floods were under discussion.
Moreover, congresswoman Jackson affirmed further US support to flood victims in Pakistan. While a 30 million dollar assistance has already been announced by the US for flood-affected people in Pakistan, Jackson said more aid will be here in the coming few days.
Apart from aid and assistance, she said clinics will be set up in flood-affected areas to provide medical aid to the flood victims.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan expressed gratitude for the US Congressional delegation’s visit to Pakistan. He said that the visit is the first time any country has paid a visit to assist Pakistan as it battles devastating floods. He added that this visit will create awareness for the international community regarding the floods in Pakistan.
