ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 /DNA/ – Elizabeth Horst, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan, called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, at the Finance Division today. The meeting served as an opportunity to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and to reaffirm the positive trajectory of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States.
The Finance Minister expressed appreciation for the longstanding support extended by the United States towards Pakistan’s economic development. He particularly lauded the continued U.S. support for macroeconomic stability achieved over the past year and a half, and welcomed the healthy momentum in bilateral engagement across various sectors.
Recalling his recent visit to the United States, the Minister shared insights from his productive meetings with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington, D.C. He noted the encouraging progress in deepening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Senator Aurangzeb underscored the importance of the U.S. as Pakistan’s largest trading partner and highlighted Pakistan’s keen interest in broadening bilateral cooperation beyond traditional sectors. He specifically pointed to the promising potential in information technology, minerals, and agriculture, as avenues for mutually beneficial collaboration.
The Minister also briefed Ms. Horst on Pakistan’s recent macroeconomic indicators, including sovereign rating upgrades and renewed investor confidence. He outlined the government’s reform agenda focused on critical areas such as taxation and energy, aimed at unlocking sustainable, long-term economic growth. Further, he shared updates on Pakistan’s successful entry into Middle Eastern capital markets, its upcoming plans for issuing the inaugural Panda bond, and future access to Euro and USD markets.
Ms. Horst welcomed the economic progress and the government’s reform-driven approach, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to strengthening economic and trade ties with Pakistan. She reiterated U.S. support for continued economic and political stability in Pakistan, and expressed optimism for an enduring and robust business partnership between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to building on the momentum of current engagements to further deepen bilateral cooperation.
