WASHINGTON

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a gathering of the Pakistani American community at the Embassy Thursday evening.

The foreign minister lauded the enthusiasm of Pakistani Americans and thanked them for their contributions towards stronger Pak-US relations, said a press release issued by Pakistan Embassy in Washington.

He highlighted that as a result of the government’s economic policies, Pakistan has witnessed stabilization of foreign exchange rate, an increase in exports, improved revenue generation, high performing stock exchange and a rise in foreign investments. He said that government is committed to improving the lives of the common people.

On the foreign policy front, the minister gave an overview of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East as well as Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

Qureshi said that Pakistan desires to have strong bilateral ties with the United States. He said the prime minister’s visit to Washington in July 2019 and his meetings with President Donald Trump, both in Washington and New York last year, had laid the foundations for building a broader and enduring partnership between the two countries.

He particularly underscored the important role Pakistani Americans can play for strengthening the bilateral ties by acting as a bridge between US and Pakistan.

The foreign minister also highlighted India’s brutal and suffocating lockdown of nearly 9 million innocent Kashmiris and the ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

He emphasized upon the leading role US could play to impress upon India to reverse its illegal actions of August 5th and to resolve the Kashmir conflict through dialogue with Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Qureshi particularly appreciated diaspora’s efforts to sensitize their representatives on the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir which led to the US Congress holding two hearings.

The minister urged the community members to continue working tirelessly to support Pak-US relations and contribute to the national development of the country.