Washington D.C., Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan’s envoy to the United States, has assured the international community of Pakistan’s welcoming stance for investment, in the wake of the country’s recalibrated focus on economic and trade relations with the U.S.
According to Press Information Department, during a speech at the prestigious University Club in Washington D.C., Ambassador Khan emphasized the strengthening of Pak-US relations across security and non-security domains, with special attention to trade and investment. He highlighted the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) as a significant platform to encourage foreign investment in Pakistan.
Ambassador Khan addressed a diverse audience, including thought leaders, business executives, and media representatives, advocating for increased economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts to fortify peace and security in the region. He pointed to the longstanding presence of 80 U.S. companies in Pakistan, their extensive experience, and established infrastructure as advantageous for American investment.
He also called attention to the transformative Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement and urged full utilization of its potential for collaboration in education, research, and technological development.
Ambassador Khan spoke about the promising investment opportunities in Pakistan, particularly in sectors like agriculture, energy, IT, and mineral extraction, through the SIFC. He emphasized the need for bilateral cooperation in renewables, healthcare, education, and artificial intelligence, recognizing the IT sector’s transformational impact on Pakistan’s economy and its allure to U.S. investors.
The Ambassador also touched on Pakistan-India relations, advocating for dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir issue, in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions. He stressed the importance of strategic balance in the region and called for responsible nuclear stewardship by all states.
In his remarks, Ambassador Khan asserted Pakistan’s robust ties with China, which he clarified were not at the expense of U.S. relations. He highlighted the importance of adherence to international humanitarian law for global peace and stability.
The session concluded with a Q&A and a note of thanks from Ambassador Khan to the University Club and its International Committee for hosting the event.