File Photo: Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan Photo: USAID
Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United States Dr. Asad Majeed Khan has said he will work with the Trump Administration and strategic thinkers to strengthen U.S.-Pakistan relationship, which has suffered a spate of setbacks but remains critical to South Asian stability.
Khan, who presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at a ceremony on Friday, says he will also work closely with the Pakistani-American community.
At the White House ceremony, Ambassador Khan conveyed the greetings of Pakistan’s leadership to President Trump who reciprocated with similar positive sentiments for Prime Minister Imran Khan, a Pakistani embassy statement said.
“While responding to the President’s welcome remarks, the Ambassador stated that he would tirelessly work to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
“President Trump has said that he wants to explore opportunities for the two countries to work closely together and to renew their partnership,” the embassy said.
Ambassador Khan takes charge of the assignment at a time when Washington and Islamabad appear to be coordinating joint efforts to realize an Afghan peace process involving Taliban and Kabul as part of efforts to conclude the longest war in American history with a political settlement.
But differences over Afghanistan and Afghan militants’ ability to carry out cross-border attacks dented the relationship and the Trump Administration last year halted supply of military assistance for Pakistan. However, climbing down from his earlier rhetoric, President Trump said last week that he would like to have a great relationship with Pakistan.
In a message addressed to the Pakistani community, Ambassador Khan pledged to strive for revamping the relationship.
“I look forward to working with the U.S. government, corporate sector, think tanks, academia and media to foster stronger ties between our two countries,” Khan, a career diplomat, said in a message to the Pakistani community.
He recognized that the relations between the two countries have seen many ups and downs and are “passing through a challenging phase of the relationship” but underlined that both have benefited when they have worked together.
The ambassador previously worked in Washington D.C. as deputy ambassador at the Pakistani embassy and also had a diplomatic assignment in New York.
“Our diaspora in the United States is a valuable asset that can play a vital role in realizing Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of building a stronger and better Pakisan,” he said.
“In the coming days, I will be working closely with our community members to explore how we can collaborate and cooperate.”
Khan also instructed Pakistani consuls general in the U.S. to efficiently meet the consular needs of the community.
