US Congressional delegation, Ahsan Iqbal discuss bilateral relations

ISLAMABAD: A US Congressional delegation, led by Representative Jack Bergman and including Representatives Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jonathan L Jackson, met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal in Islamabad on Saturday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, focusing on development cooperation and future collaboration across various sectors, says a press release.

Highlighting his US academic background, Ahsan Iqbal advocated for a new development-focused foundation in Pakistan-US bilateral ties, emphasizing education, energy, climate change, infrastructure, and IT, and acknowledged the transformative influence of US higher education through programs like the Fulbright Scholarship.

Ahsan Iqbal welcomed the resumption of Congressional exchanges with Pakistan and appreciated the US initiative for a symposium on Pakistan at the Library of Congress on April 30. He emphasized that Pakistan, as an emerging democracy, is ready to collaborate with international partners for a prosperous future.

According to the Foreign Office, Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met the visiting US Congressional delegation comprising Congressmen Jack Bergman, Tom Suozzi, and Jonathan Jackson. The two sides resolved to further strengthen and diversify bilateral relations in the areas of mutual interest.