“The two countries have stood side-by-side with each other in their decades-long relationship,” the ambassador said, speaking in Urdu to the group

 

Ambassador Khan called upon the future US diplomats to Pakistan to use their diplomatic skills and expertise to build people-to-people linkages

 

Foremost Priority in Pak-US Ties Is to Take It to a Higher Level
By Elaine Pasquini

Washington: On October 4, 2023, Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, met with more than16 US Foreign Service Officers who are undergoing 32 weeks of Urdu language and culture training at the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Washington, DC.

“The foremost priority in Pak-US ties is to sustain the relationship and to take it to a higher level,” Khan told the group who have been selected for their postings to the US Embassy in Islamabad and various US consulates in Pakistan. “Regional stability and socio-economic development through a strong economic partnership remains the core priority of the two countries.”

The ambassador called upon the future US diplomats to Pakistan to use their diplomatic skills and expertise to build people-to-people linkages and foster strong economic partnerships between the two longtime allies.

“The two countries have stood side-by-side with each other in their decades-long relationship,” the ambassador said, speaking in Urdu to the group. “Now you would be playing your role in furthering this relationship. Your efforts would bring the two countries – especially the people of Pakistan and the United States – closer to each other.”

Employing the tool of public diplomacy, he added, would dispel mutual misperceptions and misgivings.

The ambassador highlighted the strengths of Pakistan with special focus on its untapped potential natural resources, geography and rich cultural heritage.

Educational cooperation, Khan emphasized, was an important plank of bilateral relations that created strong bonds between the people of Pakistan and the US and helped Pakistani youth to contribute towards socio-economic progress of the two countries. In addition, he highlighted the important role being played by a strong network of alumni who benefited from various educational institutions and renowned seats of learning in the United States.

Ms. Tabbasum Sohail, supervisor of Northeast Asian languages, briefed Ambassador Khan about Urdu language and culture courses which are mandatory for the designated US diplomats.

Ambassador Joan A. Polaschik, director of FSI, also briefed the ambassador about various training programs at FSI which impart world-class diplomatic training to the US Foreign Service Officers and help them to excel in today’s global arena.

The possibilities of forging collaboration between the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan and the US Foreign Service Institute to benefit from mutual expertise and experiences were also discussed.

(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)