Ambassador Aizaz
Ahmad Chaudhry met Senator Jack Reed (Democrat-Rhode Island) at Capitol Hill in
Washington DC today. Senator Reed is the Ranking Member of Senate Armed
Services Committee. He is also a member of Senate Appropriations and the Senate
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committees, says a press release received
here today from Washington DC.
Ambassador Chaudhry briefed Senator
Reed about Pakistan’s perspective on the new U.S. strategy for South Asia and
the current situation in Afghanistan. Ambassador informed the Senator that Pakistan
had successfully reversed the tide of terrorism by clearing its tribal and
border areas of all militant groups. Marked improvement in the country’s
security environment and growing global recognition of Pakistan’s status as an
emerging economy are attracting foreign investors' interest, including from
corporate America.
Ambassador emphasized that Pakistan
wanted to work with the United States to bring peace to Afghanistan because
Pakistan’s economic and security gains would be at risk if instability in
Afghanistan continues. He also expressed concern about the growth in ungoverned
spaces inside Afghanistan, which were being used by terrorist elements to
launch attacks against Pakistan.
Appreciating
Ambassador Chaudhry’s briefing, Senator Reed said that sustained engagement
between Pakistan and the United States remained critical to achieving peace in
Afghanistan.
