Pakistan was committed to promoting entrepreneurship & protecting women rights & democracy: Bilawal


NEW YORK, May 20 (SABAH): Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Chairperson of the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus, appreciated the vision of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for advancing Pakistan-US relations. Appreciating the work of the Congresswoman, the Foreign Minister said that she was the greatest advocate of Pakistan-US relations.

The Foreign Minister said that he would pursue engagement with the US and soon visit Washington DC to unlock the true potential of the bilateral ties. He noted that ties between Pakistan and the US had cemented through enhanced interaction and exchanges between the leadership, parliamentarians, students and people to people contacts.

The Foreign Minister and the Congresswoman discussed cooperation in climate change, CT, humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and ease of travel between Pakistan and the US.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan was committed to promoting entrepreneurship and protecting women rights and democracy. Congresswoman Jackson said that she would fully support the Foreign Minister’s endeavors and continue to highlight Pakistan’s efforts for women empowerment, fostering democracy and stability.

The Foreign Minister thanked the Congresswoman for her outstanding leadership of the Pakistan Caucus and its keen interest in strengthening Pakistan-US ties. The Foreign Minister invited Congresswoman Jackson and the Congressional Caucus to visit Pakistan.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in his virtual meeting on Friday with Congressman Adam Smith, Chairman, US House Armed Services Committee, briefed him on the Indian illegal actions of August 5, 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and its continued atrocities against the Kashmiri people.

The Foreign Minister specifically drew Congressman’s attention to the steps recently taken by India to redraw the constituencies in IIOJK through an illegal delimitation process in order to change the Muslim majority into minority in the occupied territory. Pakistan would remain proactive in exploring opportunities and overtures for steering South Asia towards peace, security and stability.

The Foreign Minister, who is in New York to attend the food security conference and to address the UN Security Council, had this virtual conversation with Chairman Adam Smith in Washington DC.

The Foreign Minister and the Congressman had detailed discussion on strengthening bilateral defense ties and agreed on the need for sustained engagement in this area.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening business-to-business and commercial ties and allowing the U.S. entrepreneurs the opportunity to benefit from the immense potential offered by Pakistan’s unique economic geography.

The Foreign Minister invited Congressman Smith to visit Pakistan. Congressman Smith accepted the invitation.