WASHINGTON: United States (US) Congress is aware of the Pakistan’s concerns regarding Afghanistan and its military’s sacrifices in war against terror and there are no indications that the country is being isolated in Washington, US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee said.
Talking to newsmen at an Interfaith Iftar-dinner hosted by Pakistan Embassy here, Ms Jackson who also chairs Congressional Pakistan Caucus said that US administration under President Trump was reviewing its Pakistan policy but it had yet to come to Congress for discussion. “I don’t see any broad indication of Pakistan being isolated here. There are ups and down in all international relationships and particularly those that we care about but the real key is how you resolve it and I believe that tradition continues in United States,” she said.
While asked about media reports that Trump administration is considering to toughen its policy towards Pakistan by expanding drone programme and curtailing assistance, the Congresswoman said the change in policy is yet to be discussed in the US Congress.
She said US Secretary of State Rex W Tillerson will engage with members of Congress on any policy change vis a vis Pakistan and she will review that changes.Pakistan, she said, is part of normal discourse on foreign relations in the US Congress. “I do not have direct statement from State Department and I will have to wait until that statement to determine if there is a change in policy.”
Ms Jakson said the US Congress was aware of Pakistan’s concerns vis a vis Afghanistan and she was also personally aware of the fact that Pakistan military had shed its blood in war on terror.She said the US wanted extended relationship with Pakistan in all areas including business cultural exchange and education.
The Congresswoman applauded the role being played by Pakistani-Americans particularly those in medical profession in improving healthcare in the country. “I thanks Pakistani-American engaged in medical profession. They are great asset of nation in medical research,” she said.
She said the US was working in collaboration with Pakistan against terrorism both against Pakistani people and surrounding nations. “I believe that we have a pathway of collaboration we are people who love democracy and we should continue on that pathway.”
Earlier speaking at Interfaith Iftar dinner Ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry underscored that interfaith harmony is a vital aspect of the genesis of Pakistan and our national existence going back in history. He said that Pakistan was a melting pot of many cultural influences including Indus Valley and Ghandara civilisations.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s active participation in the international efforts to promote interfaith harmony including in the UN Alliance of Civilization, and as a long-standing Chair of OIC in Human Rights Council in Geneva. On domestic front, the people and armed forces of Pakistan have made enormous sacrifices to overcome the forces of darkness, extremism and terrorism. Pakistan’s victory against these challenges is unprecedented. Speaking on the occasion, eminent representatives of Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh religions emphasised the importance of interfaith harmony and tolerance. These leaders included Ms. Jo Reed, Cardinal Theodore Edgar McCarrick, Nanak Lahori, Rabbi Batya Steinlauf, Ambassador Akbar Ahmed and Dr Rajwant Singh.