‘US-Pakistan diplomatic relations as strong as ever’

Karachi
History has proven that Pakistan and the United States of America remain long-term friends and allies and, in a bid to honour our cordial diplomatic relationship, the US is committed to put its utmost effort to maximise Pakistan’s domestic potential in all possible fields.
These views were expressed by US Consul General Brian Heath while addressing the faculty and students of Sindh Madressatul Islam University on Thursday at the university’s Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Auditorium.
Heath reiterated that the US and Pakistan have enjoyed strong, cordial diplomatic relations since Pakistan’s inception. “The US extends special cooperation for Pakistan’s energy sector as this area is essential for economic growth,” said Heath.
He added that the US renders unequivocal support to Pakistan in every sector, including economy, education and related social sectors. “Our prime focus is to provide quality education to Pakistani citizens and for that, the US continues to provide a a large number of scholarship opportunities for Pakistani graduates.”
Earlier, Dr MA Shaikh hailed the visit of the US CG as the beginning of a new era for SMIU. He added that although previous US consul generals had visited SMIU, Heath was the first consul general to visit the institution after it attained university recognition.
Shaikh further said that the SMIU is playing a role of bridge between people of different communities, cultures and religions to bring peace and harmony in the country.
On the occasion, Heath also visited the Jinnah Museum at SMIU and expressed deep interest in relics and academic credentials of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

New vehicles for police
US CG Brian Heath and officials from the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) handed over four more armored personnel carriers to the Sindh Police.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the consulate informed that this was the second installment of vehicles delivered for the Sindh police force and would help enhance mobility and improve safety.
The statement added that since 2011, the INL Police Assistance Program has provided vehicles including APCs and pick-up trucks, along with equipment for forensics, bulletproof jackets, helmets, thermal imaging devices and global positioning systems (GPS). In addition, it mentioned that the three women police stations in Karachi had also been upgraded as part of the programme by supplying communication equipment, personal protective gear, first aid kits, buses, vans and pick-up trucks.