Pakistani community

urged to play role in

strengthening Pak-US ties
July 19, 2016
Print : National

NEW YORK: Pakistans Ambassador to the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani
gave a detailed perspective of Washington-Islamabad relations to
members of the Pakistani community in New York on Sunday and urged
them to play their role in cementing the relationship.
In remarks at the first sub-convention of the Pakistani American
Community (SCPAC), he also highlighted important developments in
Pakistan in the areas of security, economy and energy while underscoring
the need for the community members to proactively participate in
community affairs.
The sub-convention held at the Consulate-General of Pakistan in New York
was the first in a series to be held by Pakistani Consulates in the United
States in a lead up to the third annual Convention (CPAC 2016) which is
expected to be convened at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC
later this year.
The ambassador also briefed his compatriots on the progress made on
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharifs development agenda. While
giving a briefing on security, Defence Attache Brigadier Chaudhry Sarfraz
said operation Zarb-e-Azb, which had drastically improved Pakistans
internal security situation as well as external security, had entered its last
phase.
So far over 3,400 terrorists had been killed and 837 sanctuaries
destroyed. In their presentations, the embassys economic and trade
ministers, Mohsin Mushtaq and Ali Tahir, respectively apprised the
participants about the strength, opportunities and challenges faced in the
economic field. The participants were told that the GDP growth rate has
reached 4.71 percent with the current account deficit being lowest in the
region, inflation at 4 percent and FOREX reserves reached over US$23
billion.
The growth and stabilization of the countrys economy had been
recognized internationally. They also briefed the audience on trade and

investing opportunities in Pakistan and urged them to act as a bridge in

strengthening Pak-US economic and trade relations.
The convention was attended by leading members of the PakistaniAmerican community on the East Coast who greatly appreciated the
initiative of the Consulate-General in New York. Consul-General Raja Ali
Ejaz thanked the audience for their participation.-