Washington, DC: “Pakistan and the United States have engaged in many discussions to advance common goals and we continue to work on mutually beneficial agendas for both countries,” said Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States.
Ambassador Masood Khan said this during an interview with renowned anchor Anand Naidoo during China-US global TV network’s flagship program The Heat.
The ambassador said the two countries are trying to manage perceptions that are important after the “messy” war on terror, reflecting the context of a period of retreat in Pak-US relations. He said that the two countries have decided to use the existing space to build a united relationship, considering the geostrategic complexity of the region.
“I think we have been very successful. We will expand this space further,” he said.
In Pak-China relations, Masood Khan has proved that relations are productive.
“Our relationship with China is not at the expense of our friendship with the United States,” he said.
Terming the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project as “very important”, the Ambassador realized that the mega project of the two countries should become an organic entity after the completion of the harvest project under CPEC. Today, the integrated program includes investment in tourism, technology, vocational training, agriculture and people-to-people exchange, he said.
“As this is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, we have an honorable commitment to this project to ensure its success in all circumstances,” he said.
Discussing China’s broader role and multilateralism, Masood Khan said that all countries should have a level playing field for their joint development. “They can avoid war and conflict and choose peace through dialogue and diplomacy.”
He expressed hope that in the future between the Western bloc and China, the power will strengthen, which will benefit developing countries, including Pakistan.
Regarding Pakistan’s economic challenges, the ambassador said that the country has weathered the storm of 2022 and the economy is now stable. The ambassador said that the country is implementing massive reforms such as simplifying the tax system, making the energy sector more efficient and privatizing state-owned enterprises, saying that the IT, agriculture, renewable energy and mining sectors are getting more attention.
“Overall, our outlook and our economic prospects are bright,” he said.
Strengthening defense relations, deepening economic cooperation and investment in cultural exchange will be on the agenda during the Prime Minister’s visit to China.
Pakistan would be a bridge to build complementarities: Masood Khan
