Lahore: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan met United States Charg© d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker and US Consul General in Lahore Stetson Sanders at the Consul General’s residence here on Sunday.
According to an official press release, the meeting focused on strengthening Pakistan-US relations, promoting regional peace and stability, and exploring diverse avenues of mutual interest.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan stated that Pakistan-US relations were built on a foundation of mutual trust and represented a vital partnership. He emphasized the necessity of sustained high-level engagement and close cooperation to further consolidate bilateral ties.
The Speaker highlighted that the province of Punjab was particularly keen to expand its relations with the US state of California, aiming to identify and foster new avenues of bilateral cooperation across various economic and social sectors.
He further acknowledged that the Pakistani-American community acts as a vibrant bridge between the two nations, noting that their active role could significantly contribute to deepening long-term diplomatic and cultural ties.
Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan also underscored the importance of institutional linkages, adding that regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations and closer interaction between legislators from both sides would greatly enhance mutual understanding and overall strategic cooperation.
Reciprocating the sentiments, US Charg© d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker reaffirmed the significance of the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the United States, expressing a firm desire to further broaden bilateral engagement.
She pointed out that vast potential exists to scale up people-to-people contacts, bilateral trade, educational partnerships, and institutional cooperation.
Ms. Baker stressed the importance of bolstering collaboration specifically between Punjab and the United States in shared priority areas, while reiterating the need for continuous diplomatic dialogue to maintain regional peace and stability.
Echoing these views, US Consul General Stetson Sanders commended Pakistan’s diplomatic endeavors aimed at fostering regional peace, adding that the United States remains eager to enhance its diplomatic involvement and advance parliamentary collaboration with Pakistan.
The high-level meeting also reviewed broader avenues of cooperation including trade expansion, educational exchanges, joint action on climate change, and food security initiatives.
