Washington DC, 21 July 2022 (TDI): Minister Planning and Development of Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal met with US Senator for Maryland, Chris Van Hollen on July 20.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal ,Minister Planning & Development @betterpakistan met with Senator @ChrisVanHollen. Minister Iqbal stressed the need for a broad based development focused partnership b/w Pakistan & US, esp on agriculture, tech & IT, education & climate change🇵🇰🤝🇺🇸#PakUSAt75 pic.twitter.com/7DTdQCPWFs
— M/o Planning Development & Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) July 20, 2022
The officials met to discuss the development-focused partnership between both states.
Agenda of the Meeting
In the meeting, Minister Iqbal stressed the need for a broad-based development-focused partnership between the US and Pakistan.
The officials discussed different areas of partnership including agriculture, technology and IT, education and climate change.
Ahsan Iqbal also shared Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and prosperity including facilitating peace in Afghanistan.
Minister Iqbal’s Visit to the US
Minister Ahsan Iqbal was there to attend the 2022 session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. During this visit, he attended important sessions at the United Nations and met with different US officials to foster US-Pakistan relations.
Minister Iqbal interacted with Pakistani American Physicians during a lively question and answer session held by the APPNA organization on July 17.
Along with Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, Minister Iqbal also briefed media outlets on US-Pakistan relations. On July 19, Minister Iqbal held a meeting with IMF officials at IMF News Headquarters.
During the meeting, Minister appreciated the recent staff level agreement between the IMF and the government of Pakistan.
In a meeting with a delegation of the US-Pakistan Business Council in Washington, highlighted the great opportunities Pakistan offers to US businesses.
While addressing a round table conference hosted by the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, the Minister for planning called for resetting of US-Pakistan relations in economic and development domains.
Minister Iqbal also met Derek Chollet, Counselor of the Department of State, to discuss economic ties including food security.
Ahsan Iqbal also met Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to highlight the importance of promoting parliamentary exchanges. Minister Iqbal also appreciated the role of the Congressional Pakistani Caucus in strengthening bilateral relations.
During the visit, Minister also met Representative Lisa McClain and Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Dilawar Syed.
After he met with Senator Hollen, Minister Iqbal ended his trip by visiting his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania.
