WASHINGTON July 23 (Online): US principle deputy assistant secretary of state for south and central Asia Alizabith Horst said there is no immediate solution to Pakistan’s economic situation but IMF agreement will help to control chaos.
She said holding election announcement in Pakistan is welcoming and encouraging.
We hope for free, fair and peaceful election in Pakistan: Elizabeth Horst
Talking to Pakistani journalists living in Washington she said We support International Monitory Fund (IMF) stand-by arrangement. This will give Pakistan breathing space.
Pakistan’s bureau head in US state department said Pakistan should continue his program with IMF, there is solution but not immediate solution.
She accepted that upcoming days are very hard for Pakistan’s people but they have to go through this tough phase to stablise their economy.
She said I make sure to Paksitanis that America and Pakistan has long term relations and this situation will not affect it.US senior official said incumbent government election announcement is hopeful for America when this party is no one’s favorite in Pakistan.
Further she maintained that people of Pakistan will decide to whome they chose in election. We don’t support one party against other, we support rule of law and democracy in Pakistan.
Pakistan and US did $9 billion bilateral trade in 2022 and this volume makes Pakistan biggest partner of US, she added.
She added many statistics and proved that Pakistan’s various US companies invested $250 million in Pakistan. 20 thousand Pakistani are employed in US companies.
US provided $ 215 million for flood affectees in 2022 and $33 million which were sent by Pakistan Americans are separate, she added.
US official said US aided more that $20 billion to Pakistan in last 20 years.
He said last year we did trade and investment framework agreement (TIFA) meeting after eight years, and negotiated for climate, energy and health sector.
We are also working on green alliance framework and all this shows that we are resetting our relations.
She also noted that more than 550,000 American are Pakistani which are important to maintain Pakistan-US partnership.
Climate change, economy, and terrorism are important problem for Pakistan and US is helping Pakistan to control these issues, she added.
US official said 80,000 Pakistani killed in terrorism so we think that dealing terrorism is Pakistan’s own interest.
She also identified that terrorism is Pakistan regional and indigenous problem and US considers it threat to global peace.
Countering terrorism is US-Pakistan’s common interest, she concluded.
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