Pak-US partnership part of longer journey toward prosperity, security: Blome

ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has said that while at times his country and Pakistan have had to tackle great challenges such as floods, war, a pandemic and economic setbacks, “those of us who have worked together to strengthen this relationship have always recognized that the partnership is, and has always been, part of a longer journey toward increased prosperity and security for our two nations, and that each step on this journey is important”. He made these remarks in his address to a festive reception which the US Embassy in Islamabad hosted on Tuesday to celebrate the 248th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.

Ambassador Blome said: “Pakistan is a country that, like the United States, emerged from its own hard-won struggle for independence, and like the United States, is still writing its own story. And one characteristic that our countries share is an obsession among our thinkers and leaders with discussing the very purpose of our societies and politics. This idealism is healthy and it provides the basis for renewal and growth.

“And it also provides a basis for shared understanding and partnership. It has become commonplace to observe that the United States and Pakistan have sometimes struggled to understand each other. But that observation can obscure the long history of partnership and cooperation between our two countries. In Urdu you say: ‘Humaray safer ka her eik qadam ahmiet rakhta hay’, ‘each step of the journey is important.’”

He further said: “American businesses have played a leading role in Pakistan since independence, and not as foreign entities implanted on Pakistani soil. US firms overwhelmingly employ Pakistanis from top to bottom, training them to the highest technical and management levels, and these employees go on in turn to found and run their own global firms. They bring American values of openness, transparency, and community citizenship to the private sector here and they provide hundreds of thousands of jobs, and critical research and development assets.

“Or consider U.S. assistance. You can start with infrastructure: Mangla, Tarbela, Gomal Zam, Satpara, and Golen Gol. These dams provide clean, affordable energy to millions of homes, prevent water shortages, and mitigate the damaging effects of flooding. Today we are upgrading Mangla and Tarbela with new GE turbines. The originals lasted for 50 years, and the new versions will last another 50 years – a 100-year investment in Pakistan funded directly, not through loans. That’s what we mean by commitment.”

At the same time, he said, Pakistanis are benefiting tremendously from our trade relationship, supplying billions of dollars’ worth of exports to the US market annually. The US is proud to be Pakistan’s largest export market globally. “We are also proud of the US-Pakistan ‘Green Alliance’, a transformative initiative committed to support Pakistan as it strengthens climate resilience, pursues energy transformation, and fosters inclusive growth.

“We have contributed $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund and have unlocked millions of these dollars in climate mitigation and adaptation projects to enhance Pakistan’s resilience to climate change. This summer, we will launch a new climate-smart agriculture program to help farming families adapt to the climate challenge and prepare the agriculture sector for a new era of sustainability.”

Blome also noted that the United States is a steadfast supporter of Pakistan’s healthcare system. In May 2024, the US and Sindh government launched a groundbreaking initiative with an investment of $9 million, aimed at addressing tuberculosis. The US provides more than $85 million in funding to address malnutrition in Pakistan, including $12 million to treat acutely malnourished children. In education, our programs have constructed hundreds of new schools and rehabilitated thousands more.

“The US Mission proudly sends more than 500 Pakistanis to the United States each year on educational, professional, and cultural exchanges. We also support the exchange of U.S. and Pakistani artists, musicians, and experts on topics such as climate change and entrepreneurship.”

Talking about cricket, Ambassador Blome said: “I won’t dwell on what I saw in Dallas, but I am a true convert to the excitement of the T20 game! And I will tell you this—I travel a lot in Pakistan, through the length and breadth of this beautiful country. And when I see every patch of open ground on a weekend crowded with cricket bats and wickets, I know Pakistan will always be well represented in those big moments.”

He concluded his address by saying that he wanted to stress the strength and durability of the US-Pakistan partnership.