Washington: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States: “Pakistan, the United States, and all the major countries of the world have a common goal to ensure peace and security in the region.”
“On the one hand, we must take steps to prevent trends detrimental to international peace and security, and on the other hand, to promote a world community that makes life better for the majority of people.”
“When we talk about the Global South, the first priority must be to eradicate poverty, eliminate poverty. “We must reduce poverty to zero and that is our goal,” he said.
Ambassador Masood Khan spoke on the Granite State Global Podcast with Tim Horgan of the New Hampshire World Affairs Council as an entertaining and informative presentation to help listeners gain a deeper understanding of important international issues.
Noting that peace and security are common issues, the ambassador stressed the need to invest in sustainable development.
“We must face the challenge of climate change. “Climate change threatens the entire planet,” he said.
“Also, there should be a responsible and accountable international financial system to help countries get out of the debt trap and make their economies more stable and independent,” he said.
Commenting on Pak-US relations, especially after the withdrawal, the Ambassador said that the relations between the two countries have successfully recovered between the two groups, namely security and economic cooperation.
“When we talk about Mr.-US economic cooperation, we include issues such as climate change and health, education, people-to-people contact, we can see this relationship,” he said.
Note that the US is too aligned with India, which has abandoned its traditional policy of maintaining a strategic balance in relations with South Asian countries, saying that balancing will contribute to peace and security in the region. However, he said that Pakistan has free space vis-a-vis the United States and “we want to use this space in the area of economy and defense.”
Regarding US-China relations, the ambassador said that “the leadership of the United States manages relations with great wisdom and prudence”. He also noted that recent visits have laid the groundwork for a model of collaboration rather than confrontation.
He said a closer relationship between the US and China would benefit the country and the world.
The ambassador said that Pakistan can be an economic bridge between China and the United States.
The US has said it may move some of its industries to Pakistan while doubling down or taking risks. The United States can manufacture in Pakistan and export its goods and services to China.
Regarding Afghanistan, the ambassador called on the Afghan government to take action against organizations like the TTP. “We want the interim Afghan government to authorize and neutralize these outfits, especially the TTP,” he said. He said that terrorism is a threat not only to Pakistan and Afghanistan, but also to the United States and its allies in the region.
In Kashmir, the ambassador said that Pakistan wants the people of the entire state of Jammu & Kashmir to decide for themselves through the ballot box and without bullets.
Talking about India’s progress, Masood Khan said that if it maintains good relations with its neighbours, including Pakistan, and invests in economic relations, its progress will be more appreciated.
“India should be a neighbor first and a peaceful region,” said the Ambassador.
