Islamabad (TDI): The Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for South and Central Asian Affairs at the United States Department of State, John Mark Pommersheim, has concluded a five-day visit to Pakistan, underscoring continued close cooperation between the two countries at a pivotal moment for bilateral ties.
Pommersheim’s visit comes as Washington and Islamabad seek to deepen collaboration on economic growth, technology, and shared security interests.
Under President Donald Trump’s vision of renewed American diplomacy, the United States is working to forge new partnerships, champion innovation, and lay the groundwork for a modernized approach to global engagement in the years ahead.
During his stay, DAS Pommersheim held a series of meetings with senior Pakistani civilian and military leaders. In Islamabad, he met Director General of Military Operations Major General Kashif Abdullah and Director General of Military Intelligence Major General Wajid Aziz Khan to discuss regional security and defense cooperation.
He also engaged with key cabinet members, including Minister of IT and Telecommunications Shaza Khawaja, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
A key highlight of the visit was Pommersheim’s participation in the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week in Islamabad, where he expressed strong support for expanding US-Pakistan partnerships in the IT and digital sectors.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring a level playing field for American firms and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in artificial intelligence, information technology, energy, and critical minerals and mining.
In discussions with Pakistani officials, Pommersheim acknowledged the country’s ongoing economic reform efforts under its International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
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He encouraged continued implementation of policies aimed at fostering transparency, regulatory fairness, and a conducive investment climate. The US delegation welcomed Pakistan’s commitment to private sector-led growth and stressed the importance of expanding bilateral trade and investment ties.
Beyond official meetings, the visit also included engagement with business leaders and alumni of US exchange programs, reflecting the broader people-to-people dimension of the bilateral relationship.
In Lahore, Pommersheim attended Basant celebrations, and met with Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to discuss opportunities for US business engagement in Punjab and to promote increased Pakistani investment in the United States.
He also visited the newly inaugurated building of the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan, which opened in December 2025, and met with exchange program alumni, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to educational and cultural ties.
