- Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sh labels bilateral ties between two countries as vital for ‘regional peace, global stability’
- Reiterates that all bilateral relationships are ultimately driven by national interests
DALLAS/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has emphasized that the relationship between Islamabad and Washington is not just a passing alliance but a “strategic necessity” for regional peace, global stability, and mutual prosperity.
In an exclusive interview with Geo News during his visit to Dallas, Sheikh highlighted that both nations’ leaderships have clearly articulated their commitment to fostering a long-term partnership, particularly through trade and investment. “These ties are not optional; they are an imperative that will only strengthen over time,” he remarked.
Amb Sheikh pointed out Pakistan’s growing demographic significance, noting that the country is currently the fifth-most populous in the world and is projected to become the third-largest within the next two to three decades. “Given this trajectory, the Pakistan-US relationship is not a fleeting one; it is an unavoidable reality,” he stressed.
Responding to questions about the benefits Pakistan has gained from its ties with the US, the ambassador reiterated that all bilateral relationships are ultimately driven by national interests. For Pakistan, the US remains the largest export market, with favorable tariff concessions that are better than those provided to many other competitors. “Over 70% of Pakistan’s exports to the US are textiles, but we are now focusing on expanding opportunities in other sectors,” Sheikh added. He also pointed out that Pakistan is the largest importer of American cotton and has recently begun importing American soybeans.
Further elaborating, Sheikh mentioned that cooperation between the two countries is expanding into energy, mineral resources, and new-economy sectors such as IT, outsourcing, and cryptocurrency. With 65% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, he noted that the country’s youthful demographic provides a natural advantage. “The US leadership has made it clear that while it has signed trade agreements with other countries, its investment focus is shifting towards Pakistan, a move with significant long-term implications,” he said.
Sheikh also shared that numerous American companies have expressed interest in joint ventures, and a Pak-US investment conference is scheduled to take place in Texas in the coming months, with plans to expand to other states.
Addressing President Trump’s recent comments on Pakistan’s oil reserves, Sheikh confirmed that surveys have indeed identified promising deposits of oil and gas, though offshore drilling remains capital-intensive and high-risk. “Pakistan cannot tackle this challenge alone with its limited resources, but with foreign investment, particularly from the US, the success rate could dramatically improve, potentially transforming Pakistan’s energy sector,” he explained.
In response to the Indian media’s criticism following the visit of Field Marshal Asim Munir to the US, the ambassador dismissed it as “wishful thinking.” He recalled past instances where Indian media outlets had even falsely claimed to have “captured Lahore port,” describing such reports as absurd. “The world must question whether such media can be taken seriously,” he added.
In summary, Ambassador Sheikh’s remarks in Dallas highlighted the evolving nature of Pakistan-US relations, which are increasingly grounded in economic, strategic, and long-term cooperation. The growing collaboration in sectors such as trade, energy, minerals, and new technologies signals a promising future, while the Indian propaganda surrounding these developments remains just that—empty rhetoric.
