Islamabad: A US Congressional Delegation, including Jack Bergman, Thomas Richard Suozzi, Jonathan Jackson, and other senior officials, met with Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad on Saturday. The meeting’s agenda focused on strengthening Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations, particularly in development cooperation and future collaboration across various sectors.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister emphasized the need for a new equilibrium in Pak-US relations, reflecting the realities of new geo-politics. He highlighted the importance of mutual trust and a development-focused partnership. Ahsan Iqbal proposed enhanced cooperation in the education sector, advocating for the “Pak-US Knowledge Corridor” and the establishment of American university campuses in Pakistan. He called for academic partnerships and joint programs to develop a highly skilled human resource base essential for Pakistan’s sustainable growth.

The Minister also stressed the importance of renewed collaboration in climate resilience and disaster preparedness. Highlighting the information technology sector, he welcomed the interest from US companies in expanding their presence in Pakistan. He underlined the role of small and medium enterprises in driving economic growth and called for increased collaboration with US businesses.

The US delegation acknowledged Pakistan’s potential across various sectors and stressed the importance of engaging the private sector to unlock investment opportunities and build investor confidence. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries and enhancing collaboration in key areas. The delegation also invited the Planning Minister to participate in a seminar on promoting Pak-US Relations, scheduled for the end of the month in Washington.