message from ambassador dr. asad m....

JUNE 2019

MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR DR. ASAD M. KHAN

Dear friends, the month of June witnessed many positive developments in Pakistan-U.S. relations. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephonic conversation with Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and both leaders discussed bilateral relations and matters related to regional peace and security. They also discussed progress of peace efforts in Afghanistan. During this month, the Embassy continued its outreach efforts on the Hill. I had the opportunity to meet a number of important Senators and Congressmen and briefed them on Pakistan’s perspective on issues of mutual interest. They expressed interest in building stronger Pakistan-U.S. relations. We also had frequent interactions and engagements with senior officials at the State Department to discuss ways to further expand our bilateral ties. I had the opportunity to speak at some of the most prestigious think-tanks in the U.S., among them was the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington D.C. as well as the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. I traveled to Chicago for an official visit where I met leading CEOs and business executives as well as prominent Pakistani American business leaders. I also met the Mayor and Police Commissioner of Bolingbrook, Illinois. I was honored to be conferred an honorary degree by the East West University in Chicago. In addition to our regular interactions to promote trade and investment, we also hosted a delegation of Pakistani entrepreneurs who were visiting the U.S. as part of Select USA Investment Summit 2019. Media engagement is a pillar of our outreach efforts. In this regard, we hosted a dinner for Washington-based Pakistani journalists where we exchanged views on how to improve Pakistan’s image in the United States. A delegation of female Parliamentarians visited the U.S. under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges. Such visits help foster a better understanding of each other’s parliamentary practices and cultivate long term relationships. We envisage a busy month in July and hope the upward momentum in Pakistan-U.S. ties will continue.

IN THIS ISSUE… 1- CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH 3 2- TRADE & INVESTMENT 4 3- THINK TANK EVENTS 5 4- ACADEMIC OUTREACH 6 5- COMMUNITY OUTREACH 7 6- MEDIA OUTREACH 7 7- EMBASSY OUTREACH 8

8- BEYOND THE HEADLINES 8

EMBASSY of THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN in Washington DC -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and discussed bilateral relations and regional situation during the meeting.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) and exchanged views on revitalizing historic Pakistan-US relations, improving trade, investments and strengthening people to people contacts.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with Congressman Ed Case (D-HI) and discussed a whole range of issues of mutual interest including bilateral, regional and global.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) and briefed her on Pakistan’s positive contributions in promoting regional peace and security in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS). During the meeting, Ambassador Khan thanked her for her interest in working with Pakistan and strong support to the Pakistani-American community of Kansas.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with Congressman Gen Jack Bergman (R-MI) and exchanged views about Pakistan’s deep rooted ties with the US. They also discussed ideas to strengthen the relationship. Ambassador Khan appreciated Congressman Bergman’s work with the Pakistani diaspora in Michigan.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar today, 27 June 2019. They exchanged views on building stronger bonds between Pakistan and the U.S.

AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT AND CEO WORLD BUSINESS COUNCIL AND FORMER DEPUTY MAYOR OF CHICAGO

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Ms. Andrea Zopp, President and CEO World Business Council and former Deputy Mayor of Chicago. He had a good exchange of views with Ms. Zopp on enhancing business and investment ties between Chicago and Pakistan and invited her to visit Pakistan.

AMBASSADOR MEETS CEO OF CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

AMBASSADOR MEETS CEO OF WEATHERTECH

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with the CEO of WeatherTech Mr. David MacNeil. He also visited WeatherTech facilities for manufacturing of auto accessories.


AMBASSADOR HOSTS PAKISTAN BUSINESS DELEGATION

Ambassador held a meeting with Jack Lavin, CEO Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. During the meeting they agreed on building stronger trade and investment ties between Chicago and Pakistan.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan hosted the Pakistan Business Delegation attending the Select USA Investment Summit 2019 at the Embassy Residence along with representatives from the US Departments of State, Commerce and United States Trade Representative (USTR).


AMBASSADOR ADDRESSES PAKISTANI-AMERICAN BUSINESS LEADERS IN CHICAGO

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan spoke to Pakistani-American Business leaders in Chicago on trade, investment and business opportunities in Pakistan.

AMBASSADOR SPEAKS AT CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE

Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan spoke at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and presented Pakistan’s point of view on a wide range of issues. He highlighted how Sustained law enforcement actions and operations by Pakistani security forces had not only ensured domestic peace but also helped provide impetus to the economic activities in the country. Describing the convergences between Pakistan and the US in various areas, most importantly Afghanistan, Ambassador said that Pakistan deeply values and wishes to further strengthen its long standing relationship with the United States. He stated that the robust engagement between the two countries had served common interests in the past and would continue to guide the future course for mutually beneficial ties. He also highlighted Pakistan’s role in and continued efforts to promote peace and prosperity in the wider South Asian region. The Ambassador also briefed the audience on the government of Pakistan’s policies for economic revival and Pakistan’s promotion as an attractive investment and tourist destination. The conversation was moderated by Dr. George Perkovich, Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Chair and Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a meeting with Ambassador William Burns, President Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He briefed him on Pakistan’s contribution to regional peace & stability. Ambassador Burns shared his highly enlightened views on the global situation.

AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Ambassador Ivo Daalder, President Chicago Council on Global Affairs and exchanged views on the evolving global and regional scenario.

AMBASSADOR MEETS PRESIDENT CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS


AMBASSADOR MEETS US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan had a very productive exchange of views with Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Marie Royce and members of her team. They agreed to further strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation in education and cultural sectors.

AMBASSADOR ATTENDS THE 37TH CONVOCATION OF EAST-WEST UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan attended the 37th Convocation of the East-West University, Chicago and greatly honored to receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. While speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Khan shared a few life lessons with the graduating students and wished them luck for their future endeavours.

EMBASSY HOSTS A GROUP OF YOUNG STUDENTS VISITING FROM PAKISTAN

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan welcomed a group of young students from Lahore Grammar School, Pakistan at the Embassy for a briefing on Pakistan-U.S. relations. The group was on a week-long tour of the U.S. Counsellor Salman Sharif briefed the students about Pakistan-US relations.


AMBASSADOR MEETS MAYOR OF BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Mayor of Bolingbrook, Mr. Roger Claar. Mayor Claar shared with the Ambassador, profound memories regarding his recent trip to Pakistan as the head of a ten member delegation. During their visit the delegation also visited Sialkot, sister city of Bolingbrook.

AMBASSADOR MEETS COMMISSIONER POLICE AND CHAIR OF BOLINGBROOK PLANNING AND ZONING BOLINGBROOK

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan met with Mr. Talat Rashid, Commissioner Police and Mr. Mir Ali, Chair of Bolingbrook planning and Zoning Bolingbrook.

AMBASSADOR HOSTS DC-BASED PAKISTANI JOURNALISTS

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan hosted a dinner for DC-based Pakistani journalists from mainstream print and electronic media at Pakistan House. During an informal exchange of views, Ambassador apprised the mediapersons about the latest developments in Pak-US relations, Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process and the importance of Pakistani-American community.


AMBASSADOR HOSTS FEMALE PARLIAMENTARIANS FROM PAKISTAN

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan hosted a dinner at the

Pakistan House in honour of a delegation of female

Parliamentarians from Pakistan, visiting the United

States under The International Visitor Leadership

Program (IVLP) exchange program.

QURESHI, POMPEO TALK BILATERAL RELATIONS, REGIONAL SECURITY

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephonic call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss bilateral relations and regional peace and security. During the conversation, Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed Secretary Pompeo about the measures being taken by Pakistan in accordance with the National Action Plan and the initiatives being taken by the government to carry out economic restructuring. He also spoke about the steps that Pakistan has been taking for compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) action plan. In this context, he highlighted the regulatory mechanisms that have been put in place to curb money laundering and terror financing practices. The foreign minister also spoke to his US counterpart on the Afghanistan peace process. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to play its positive role in this process and to support an intra Afghan dialogue. He also highlighted the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS) as a mechanism for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries and to have constructive engagement. https://www.dawn.com/news/1488777

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

PRINCE WILLIAM AND KATE MIDDLETON HEADED TO PAKISTAN

The Kensington Palace announced that Prince William and his wife Kate will visit Pakistan later this year on the first royal trip to the country in more than a decade. The royal couple’s visit, requested by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office, shows London’s renewed interest in Pakistan.

Right: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge & Kate Middleton Duchess of Cambridge

https://www.dawn.com/news/1488777









UN TO RESTORE ISLAMABAD’S STATUS AS FAMILY STATION FOR ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF

The International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) of the United Nations announced that it would be restoring Islamabad’s status as a family station, effectively allowing UN personnel to travel with their families to Pakistan. Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi has welcomed the decision and termed it as a diplomatic success of Pakistan.


BRITISH AIRWAYS RESUMES FLIGHTS TO PAKISTAN

British Airways has resumed operations to Pakistan, over a decade after they were suspended in Sept 2008 in the wake of the Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad. British Airways' Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed from Heathrow, London, with 240 passengers on board, and touched down at Islamabad International Airport (IIA) on June 3 at 9:15. The airline will fly thrice weekly between London and Islamabad.


















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Complied and edited by the Information Wing, Embassy of Pakistan, Washington, DC.

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