*Dallas:* Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh,has said that Pakistan–US relations are not a temporary phenomenon but astrategic necessity that holds fundamental importance for regional peaceand economic stability.
Speaking exclusively to Geo News during his visit to Dallas, the ambassadoremphasized that the leadership of both countries has already made it clearthat the focus will be on building a long-term partnership through tradeand investment. “These relations are not about a passing romance but areality that will deepen in the future,” he noted.
Sheikh highlighted that both Pakistan and the US are among the world’sleading nations. With Pakistan being the fifth most populous country today,and expected to become the third largest within the next two to threedecades, the ambassador stressed that Pakistan–US ties are not a matter ofchoice but a strategic inevitability. “These relations are vital forregional peace, global harmony, and the economic interests of bothnations,” he said.
He further pointed out that the US leadership itself has expressed itsintention to establish a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistanthrough trade and investment. “This is why these relations are nottemporary but will remain strong for generations to come,” Sheikh explained.
Responding to a question on what Pakistan stands to gain from the currentphase of relations, Sheikh remarked that bilateral ties in today’s worldare always driven by national interests. “For Pakistan, the US is thelargest trading market. The tariff concessions we have received are morefavorable compared to countries with whom we directly compete. This is amajor opportunity created through diplomacy. Now it is up to the privatesector and other institutions to fully capitalize on it,” he said.
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The ambassador also noted that Pakistan’s exports are dominated bytextiles, accounting for more than 70 percent, with significant potentialfor further growth. Pakistan is currently the largest importer of Americancotton, and has recently started importing soybeans, a trade that couldexpand considerably. Additionally, talks are ongoing in the fields ofminerals and energy, which he described as mutually beneficial areas ofcooperation.
Sheikh added that with 65 percent of Pakistan’s population under the age of30, and an average age of 30, there is also a strong need to strengthencooperation in emerging sectors such as IT, outsourcing, andcrypto-economy. “The future of Pakistan–US relations lies not only intraditional trade but also in building partnerships in new economysectors,” he stressed.
Concluding his remarks, he expressed hope that these ties would evolve intoa strong, stable foundation for generations to come.