US leaders express solidarity with flood affected people of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, August 30 (SABAH): Expressing grief and sorrow over the widespread devastation, including the loss of precious lives and damage to crops, cattle, and infrastructure in Pakistan, State Department’s Counselor Derek Chollet, who is a senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State, has said that the United States was standing with Pakistan at this difficult hour.

In his tweet after a telephonic call with Ambassador Masood Khan, US Under Secretary Derek Chollet stated that he was “deeply saddened by lives lost and severe humanitarian impacts in Pakistan due to recent flood. We stand with Pakistan.”

Ambassador Masood Khan thanked Derek Chollet for expressing solidarity with the flood victims. Matters related to Pak-US bilateral relations with a special focus on promoting trade and investment ties and people-to-people exchanges came under discussion during the conversation. Ranking Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Jim Risch also expressed his sympathies with the flood victims.

In his tweet, Senator Risch said, “My thoughts are with Pakistan as it contends with deadly and devastating flooding. Vicki and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this disaster.” Ambassador Masood Khan expressed his gratitude to Senator Risch for his message of sympathy to the people of Pakistan as they deal with devastating floods. Other US leaders including Senator Ted Cruz and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee have also expressed their sympathies with the flood victims.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also wrote to President Joseph R. Biden requesting immediate provision of assistance including material, equipment, and technical assistance to support efforts to bring relief to the hardest hit areas of the country.

Pak Ambassador to the United States is visiting Michigan, New York, and Chicago where he is meeting US leadership, businessmen, and the Pak-American community to solicit their support for the flood victims in Pakistan.

The Ambassador has also written letters to US Senators and Congressmen sensitizing them about the widespread devastation caused by the floods and seeking their support for relief, rescue, and recovery operations.