ISLAMABAD: A US Congressional Delegation (CODEL) led by Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), along with other senior US officials, met with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation in development sectors.
The meeting, which focused on future collaboration in education, energy, climate change, infrastructure, and information technology, was seen as an important step toward reinforcing the Pakistan-US partnership. Minister Iqbal emphasized the importance of establishing a new foundation for bilateral ties, highlighting the need for a mutual trust-based relationship that focuses on socio-economic development, particularly in the aftermath of the US-led wars in the region.
Iqbal detailed Pakistan’s ongoing socio-economic challenges, noting the country’s role in hosting over 3.5 million refugees for more than three decades, as well as the negative impacts of extremism, drug trafficking, and violence. He stressed the necessity for a new focus on development, particularly in areas such as education and climate resilience.
Minister Iqbal proposed enhanced cooperation in education, urging the establishment of top-tier US university campuses in Pakistan and strengthening the “Pak-US Knowledge Corridor.” He emphasized the critical role of higher education in Pakistan’s development, noting the success of programs like the Fulbright Scholarship. He also called for joint academic initiatives to create a skilled workforce essential for Pakistan’s future prosperity.
In discussing climate resilience, Minister Iqbal referenced the devastating floods of 2022, which caused over $30 billion in economic damage, affecting one-third of the country. He called for renewed collaboration in disaster preparedness and climate resilience, pointing to the importance of technology transfer in agriculture. Iqbal proposed a “Green Revolution 2.0” to tackle the impacts of climate change, building on the success of the original Green Revolution in the 1960s, which helped Pakistan achieve food security.
Iqbal also highlighted Pakistan’s emerging strength in the information technology sector, driven by a young, talented workforce. He noted that Pakistan is now the third-largest supplier of freelance IT professionals globally, with skills on par with global standards.
The minister welcomed US companies seeking to expand their presence in Pakistan, calling the country’s youth its greatest asset.
The discussion also covered Pakistan’s “URAAN Pakistan” programme and the government’s “5Es Framework,” which focuses on exports, e-Pakistan, environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment. Iqbal emphasized the need to increase exports for sustained economic growth and outlined the reforms being undertaken to ensure political stability, policy continuity, and a strong economic system.
The US delegation expressed appreciation for Minister Iqbal’s leadership and vision, acknowledging Pakistan’s immense potential in various sectors. They emphasized the need to engage the private sector to unlock investment opportunities and build investor confidence, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the strategic relationship between the two countries.
As a gesture of further cooperation, the delegation extended an invitation to Minister Iqbal to participate in a seminar on promoting Pak-US relations, scheduled for April 30, 2025, in Washington, DC. Minister Iqbal welcomed the resumption of Congressional exchanges and the upcoming symposium on Pakistan, underscoring Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with international partners to build a prosperous future.
