ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday that Pak-US mutual cooperation in heritage could be enhanced through exchange of cultural delegation between the two countries.
Talking to a delegation of USA Heritage Foundation, headed by its Vice President, James Jay Carafano, which called on him here, he said that Pakistan was a promising destination for USA companies to invest in high-end sectors because of their edge in technology in the world.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan-USA relations had expanded to education, knowledge and energy during the present democratic regime.
In the past security issues defined the bilateral relations between the two countries, but cooperation in education; knowledge and energy are the hallmarks of new relations.
Pakistan looks forward to further bilateral ties in future through enhanced cooperation in social sector.
Ahsan Iqbal described USA long-term strategic partner of Pakistan and now the relations have assumed the new dimension of cooperation in social and economic sector, which needs strategy to make it long lasting.
The Minister further stated that joint declaration of Pakistan and USA at the conclusion of the visit of Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to USA provides a comprehensive roadmap for both Pakistan and United States to have far-reaching implications.
The Minister said that present government was facing enormous challenges in economic and security areas; but today, Pakistan was a different country by achieving turnaround in economy and remarkable gains on security front after present government launched operation to hunt down the terrorists across the country.
With functioning state institutions, vibrant media and active judiciary, Pakistan was a flourishing democracy; Minister observed and added that Pakistan was now poised to implement Vision-2025 for sustained and inclusive social and economic development.
He also highlighted the regional initiatives like CPEC, CAREC, TAPI and CASA-1000 MGW and said that it would turn Pakistan into a regional economic and trading hub through enhanced and improved connectivity in the region as per vision of the Prime Minister who had been pursuing friendly ties with the countries of the region.
The USA Heritage Foundation Vice President appreciated the efforts of present government in economy, education and energy sectors and also commended the Vision-2025 of present government for sustainable economic growth.
Source: APP