Washington DC, 26 September 2022 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari kicked off his 4-day visit to Washington on Sunday. The trip came as a follow-up to the Foreign Minister’s visit to New York.
Aim of the visit
Minister Bilawal attended the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 77) last week in New York. After that, the Minister announced his visit to Washington.
The aim of the visit is to enhance bilateral ties between both countries. Moreover, officials will discuss issues of regional and international importance during these meetings.
Accordingly, it was announced that the Foreign Minister will hold in-person talks with Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. Moreover, he will also have a separate meeting with State Department’s Special RepÂreÂsentative for Commercial and Business Affairs, Dilawar Syed.
The Minister will also meet members of Congress, Senators, leading American think tanks, and American media organizations during his visit.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister will highlight the issue of this year’s unprecedented floods that have brought Pakistan close to an economic meltdown, during his meetings.
In this regard, the US as well as other major countries and international organizations like the UN and World Bank have aided Pakistan in bringing relief to the flood-stricken people.
Meeting with US Representative
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal met the US Special Representative for Business Affairs, Dilawar Syed, in Washington. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister updated the US Representative on the flood situation in Pakistan.
I met with FM @BBhuttoZardari to express our solidarity with the millions of Pakistanis impacted by the devastating floods. The U.S. is leading the intl. effort to support Pakistan.
We discussed building on the momentum from my recent visit to expand 🇺🇸🇵🇰 economic relationship. pic.twitter.com/NAryI2kuCT
— Special Representative Dilawar Syed (@BizAtState) September 25, 2022
Moreover, Minister Bilawal emphasized US private sector’s role in rebuilding infrastructure post-floods in the affected areas. He also highlighted Pakistan’s potential and the opportunities it offers to expand trade ties.
The two sides also discussed the US investment and Green Energy Plan. Minister Bilawal also took the opportunity to thank the country for its help during these critical times.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Bilawal also met with corporate leaders, renowned businessmen, and prominent personalities from various sectors at the Pakistan House in Washington.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with corporate leaders, renowned businessmen and prominent personalities from various sectors at Pakistan House in Washington @BBhuttoZardari @ForeignOfficePk pic.twitter.com/p8HrBYYujR
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) September 26, 2022
Correspondingly, he appreciated their work to boost Pak-US trade and also highlighted opportunities to further strengthen economic ties.
Pakistan-US ties
Pakistan and US have enjoyed years of good bilateral relations established with the independence of Pakistan in 1947. The year 2022 marked 75 years since the establishment of bilateral ties between both countries.
The US has always stood by Pakistan during hard times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it aided Pakistan with 77 million worth of vaccine doses.
Both countries also share partnerships in trade, climate change actions, clean energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Recently, the Prime minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif also met with the President of the US, Joe Biden on the sidelines of UNGA 77.
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