WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said that Pakistan-US relations are currently in a significantly better position than in the past, but cautioned that there is no room for complacency and stressed the need to transform the improved atmosphere into a durable and results-oriented partnership.
The Pakistani American Press Association (PAPA) held a joint ceremony in Washington to mark the United States’ 250th Independence Day and Pakistan’s upcoming 79th Independence Day.
The event brought together diplomats, government and political figures, journalists, Pakistani American intellectuals, business and community leaders, and members of the Pakistani American community.
Ambassador Sheikh was the chief guest and addressed the Pakistani American journalist community in detail.
In his remarks, the ambassador said Pakistan-US relations currently appeared considerably better than in the past but cautioned that there was no room for complacency over the progress.
He said the present moment offered an important opportunity for both countries to transform relations that merely “looked better” into a strong, lasting and results-oriented partnership.
The ambassador noted that Pakistan-US relations had historically experienced many ups and downs, passing through both their best and worst phases. However, he said the relationship had endured through every period.
Sheikh said Pakistan was capable not only of maintaining its own stability but also of contributing to stability across the wider region and at the global level.
Referring to the joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed in Makkah, he described it as a further acknowledgement of Pakistan’s geography, regional importance and strategic role.
According to Ambassador Sheikh, the current phase of Pakistan-US relations was focused specifically on strengthening the economic dimension of the relationship.
He said the future of the Pakistan-US partnership should rest on economic ties, trade, investment and mutual economic engagement.
Such a partnership, he added, could endure beyond his tenure as ambassador, with its effects lasting into future generations.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Sheikh expressed hope that Pakistan-US relations would be advanced in a manner that was not confined to the present moment or to any single ambassador, government or generation, but would instead become enduring and durable.
A significant part of the evening was dedicated to honouring individuals who had rendered distinguished services in journalism, public service, law, business, social welfare, arts and literature, security and the promotion of Pakistan-US relations.
Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Judge Amina Khan, Police Chief Kamran Afzal, Dr Sajid Tarar, senior journalist Anwar Iqbal, Azeem M. Mian, Naveed Butt, Dr Bina Goindi, Abdul Rauf Shakoori, Mian Tahir Ismail, Muhammad Saleem and Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.
Pakistani American figures from various walks of life were also honoured, including Dr Sajid Tarar and American Muslim civil rights leader Zainab Chaudhry, who also addressed the gathering.
Journalism Excellence Awards were presented to Faqir Naqvi, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Aziz Ahmed, Uzma Gul, Zeeshan Tahir, Umar Farooq Jan, Asadullah Khalid, Fazal Khaliq, Muhammad Farrukh, Faheem Mian, Moaz Asad Siddiqui, Qazi Naveed, Madiha Masood and Saqib-ul-Islam.