Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pak-US bilateral relations were further strengthening in both security and non-security areas and added that a special focus was on investment and trade cooperation emphasizing the utility of the recently launched platform of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). “We must be partners. We must continue to talk to each other, and we continue to resolve the issues that would impair peace and security in the region and prosperity but, more importantly, we must develop people-to-people contacts and increase economic cooperation”: said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks while addressing a huge audience in the prestigious University Club here in Washington D.C. The International Committee of the club had invited the Ambassador to speak on a wide array of topics, the world is confronted with. Addressing a jam-packed hall, comprising members of the think-tank community, businessmen, entrepreneurs, opinion makers, and the media, Ambassador Masood Khan highlighted the importance of Pak-US relations. Highlighting the presence of 80 US companies in Pakistan, he said that the US has a standing advantage because of American companies’ experience in Pakistan spanning decades and their existing investment infrastructure in the country. In the field of education and technology, the ambassador termed the recently renewed Pakistan-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement transformative and stressed that its potential should be fully utilized for higher education, research and development, and technological collaboration. Identifying the sectors of agriculture, energy, IT, and mineral extraction, Masood Khan showcased the tremendous potential for investors to invest in Pakistan through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). “We also need to collaborate in the realm of renewables, healthcare, education, and IT sector, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The IT sector is transformative for Pakistan, and the United States, particularly tech entrepreneurs and major capitalists, are heavily investing in Pakistan.” he reiterated. Ambassador Masood Khan spoke about Pakistan-India relations and the importance of dialogue to resolve long-standing issues including the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. “The quest for peace must continue. And our stance has been that we should resolve the outstanding issues between India and Pakistan through dialogue. Both Pakistan and India are headed towards elections. Let's hope that a new cast of leadership in both countries explores diplomacy to address outstanding issues.”: Masood Khan. Highlighting the importance of strategic balance in the region, Ambassador Masood Khan emphasized responsible nuclear stewardship from all the states to ensure security for all. Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pakistan had strong ties with China which were not at the expense of the United States. “For the stability of international order, we must commit ourselves to the international humanitarian law, especially its three core universal principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality. These are imperative for peace” said Masood Khan. After a brief Question and Answer session, Ambassador Masood Khan thanked Mr. Andrew Goodwin and the International Committee of the University Club for inviting him and providing him with the opportunity to share his thoughts. *****
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