Newsletter June 2021

JUNE 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE 4

PRIME MINISTER IN U.S. MEDIA 6

PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN: ‘PAKISTAN IS READY TO BE A PARTNER FOR PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN, BUT WE WILL NOT HOST U.S. BASES’ | THE WASHINGTON POST 6 ‘PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN URGES A NEW U.S.-PAKISTAN BOND’ | THE NEW YORK TIMES 7 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: ‘WE MUST CONSERVE AND RESTORE OUR ECOSYSTEMS, FOR THE SAKE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS’ | PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN 8 PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN’S INTERVIEW WITH ‘AXIOS ON HBO’ 9

PAKISTAN-US. RELATIONS 10

PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN SPEAKS WITH BILL GATES, CO-FOUNDER OF BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION 10 FOREIGN MINISTER CONNECTS WITH CONGRESSMAN GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY) 11 FOREIGN MINISTER INTERACTS WITH ELECTED U.S. OFFICIALS OF PAKISTANI DESCENT 12 FOREIGN SECRETARY’S TELEPHONE CALL WITH U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE 13

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH 14

AMBASSADOR SPEAKS WITH SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA) 14 AMBASSADOR’S PHONE CALL WITH SENATOR BILL HAGERTY (R-TN) 14 VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH REP. MIKE ROGERS (R-AL), REP. DARRELL ISSA (R-OH) & REP. BARRY MOORE (R-AL) 15 AMBASSADOR HOLDS A ZOOM MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN TRACEY MANN (R-KS) 16 AMBASSADOR’S VIRTUAL MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN ANDREW GARBARINO (R-NY) 16 VIRTUAL MEETINGS WITH REP. PETER MEIJER (R-MI), REP LISA McCLAIN (R-MI) & REP. JERRY CARL (R-AL) 17

ADVOCACY & MEDIA OUTREACH 18

LUNCH MEETINGS WITH NICK SCHIFFRIN (PBS), NISHANT DAHIYA AND STEVE INSKEEP (NPR), AND JULIE PACE (AP) 18 ZENGER NEWS SERVICE INTERVIEWS AMBASSADOR 19 AMBASSADOR VISITS NEWS WOMEN’S CLUB 19

THINK TANK ENGAGEMENTS 20

U.S.-PAKISTAN BUSINESS COUNCIL (USPBC) HOSTS FINANCE MINISTER 20 AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH CEO AND PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE (USIP) 20

ECONOMY 21

ECONOMIC GROWTH SURVEY 21

EMBASSY EVENTS 22

AMBASSADOR HOSTS AN EVENING EXTRAVAGANZA 22 MANGO DIPLOMACY 23

PAKISTANIS IN THE U.S. 24

AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES PAKISTANI-AMERICAN OFFICIALS 24 SENATE CONFIRMS ZAHID QURESHI, FIRST MUSLIM-AMERICAN FEDERAL JUDGE IN U.S. HISTORY 25 PAKISTAN-AMERICAN WOMEN CANDIDATES SADAF JAFFER AND SHAMA HAIDER WIN NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES 25 PAKISTANI-AMERICAN LEGAL SCHOLAR LINA KHAN WORN IN AS COMMISSIONER OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 26 PRESIDENT BIDEN NAMES NOMAN HUSAIN TO PRESIDENT’S COMMISSION ON WHITEHOUSE FELLOWSHIPS 26 AMNA NAWAZ NAMES CHIEF CORRESPONDENT FOR PBS NEWSHOUR 27 SHAZIA SIKANDER SHOWCASES HER EXHIBITION ‘EXTRAORDINARY REALITIES’ 27 AMBASSADOR VISITS AWARD-WINNING GARDEN PAVILLION IN PHILADELPHIA 28 THE NEW YORK TIMES FEATURES PESHAWARI CHAPLI KEBAB 28

3 AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

Dear friends,

The month of June witnessed healthy momentum in the bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote an op-ed for the Washington post which was carried widely across several media outlets around the world. He also held exclusive interviews with Axios on HBO and New York Times. The Prime Minister’s media interactions effectively highlighted our perspective on the Afghanistan peace process and Pakistan-US bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also spoke with Mr. Bill Gates, co-founder of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to discuss ongoing collaboration on polio eradication from Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a Zoom meeting with Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives. The Foreign Minister and Congressman Meeks discussed issues of mutual interest with particular focus on steps to take the bilateral relationship forward in a comprehensive manner.

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood spoke to U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Victoria Nuland. They discussed bilateral relations and key regional issues. The Foreign Secretary underlined Pakistan’s commitment to forging a broad-based and long-term bilateral relationship with the United States.

During June, the Embassy continued its outreach efforts on the Hill and media houses. I had the opportunity to meet a number of important Senators, Congressmen and Journalists. I briefed them on Pakistan’s perspective on issues of mutual interest and highlighted our vision of a new and transformed Pakistan, invested in advancing economic security and leveraging its geo-economic potential to build better and stronger ties with the US. The members of the US Congress expressed interest in building stronger Pakistan-U.S. relations. They also agreed to strengthen parliamentary linkages between the two countries. 4

As part of our community outreach, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi virtually interacted with elected U.S. officials of Pakistani descent. While lauding their important contributions in supporting their communities, the Foreign Minister urged them to play their role in building a stronger partnership between Pakistan and the US.

Pakistani Americans continue to enhance their footprint in the US Public sector at federal and local levels. We were delighted on US Senate’s confirmation of Mr. Zahid Quraishi as the first Muslim American federal judge in U.S. history and swearing in of Ms. Lina Khan as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. At local level, former Montgomery Mayor Dr. Sadaf Jaffer and Ms. Shama Haider secured impressive victories in their respective primaries for the New Jersey State Assembly. We wish them good luck for their upcoming state Assembly elections.

Despite the testing times, Pakistan’s economy is heading in the right direction. The corrective measures taken by the government to boost the economy are bearing fruit. All economic indicators in the country are showing a positive trajectory. The economy posted growth of 3.94 percent surpassing the target of 2.1 per cent. Moreover, the current account surplus reached US$ 0.8 billion during FY-2020-21, exports increased by 18.5 per cent while the remittances increased by 29 per cent. This year, we also hosted traditional Ambassador’s Barbeque dinner reception at my residence. It was attended by members of Congress and senior government officials, members of academia, journalists and community members. The event provided an opportunity for an informal interaction with our interlocutors. The delicious Pakistani mangoes, especially transported from Pakistan for the event, were the highlight of the evening.

We envisage busy months ahead and look forward to maintaining the upward momentum in Pakistan-U.S. ties.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan.

5 PRIME MINISTER IN U.S. MEDIA

PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN: ‘PAKISTAN IS READY TO BE A PARTNER FOR PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN, BUT WE WILL NOT HOST U.S. BASES’ | THE WASHINGTON POST Prime Minister Imran Khan wrote an Op-Ed for The Washington Post on June 21, 2021. In his Op-Ed he emphasized that ‘promoting economic connectivity and regional trade is the key to lasting peace and security in Afghanistan. Further military action is futile. If we share this responsibility, Afghanistan, once synonymous with the “Great Game” and regional rivalries, could instead emerge as a model of regional cooperation.’

The Op-Ed was carried widely across several internation media outlets. READ HERE

‘PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN URGES A NEW U.S.-PAKISTAN BOND’ - THE NEW YORK TIMES

Prime Minister Imran Khan discussed the future of Pakistan-U.S. relations with Yara Bayoumy, world and national security editor and Jyoti Thottam, deputy Op-Ed editor at the New York Times - June 25, 2021

READ HERE.

“What we want in the future is a relationship based on trust and common objectives.” - Prime Minister Imran Khan

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: WE MUST CONSERVE AND RESTORE OUR ECOSYSTEMS, FOR THE SAKE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS | PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his Op-Ed dated June 5, 2021 stressed the need to conserve and restore our ecosystems for the sake of future generations. He shared his government’s efforts towards not only preserving Pakistan’s natural treasures but also repairing the damage done to them.

“The government of Pakistan is already in the midst of one of the world's most ambitious efforts to expand and restore its forests, having already planted 1 billion trees and mangroves as part of its 10 billion tree drive.Furthermore, Pakistan's mangrove coverage has increased by 300% over the past decade, making it the world's only country with an expanding mangrove cover. “ - Prime Minister Imran Khan READ HERE.

PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN’S INTERVIEW WITH ‘AXIOS ON HBO’

Prime Minister sat down for an exclusive interview with Jonathan Swan of Axios on HBO on June 18, 2021. Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan would not be part of any further military action in Afghanistan

WATCH TRAILER HERE.

PRIME MINISTER IMRAN KHAN SPEAKS WITH BILL GATES, CO-FOUNDER OF BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION

FOREIGN MINISTER CONNECTS WITH REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY)

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a Zoom meeting with Congressman .Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the United States House of Representatives. Foreign Minister and Congressman Meeks discussed issues of mutual interest with particular focus on steps to take the bilateral relationship forward in a comprehensive manner.

FOREIGN MINISTER INTERACTS WITH ELECTED U.S. OFFICIALS OF PAKISTANI DESCENT

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi interacted with elected U.S. officials of Pakistani descent. While lauding the important contributions they are making to their communities, Foreign Minister urged them to play their role in building a stronger and broader partnership between Pakistan and the U.S.

FOREIGN SECRETARY’S TELEPHONE CALL WITH U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE

Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood received a telephone call from U.S. Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Victoria Nuland.

The Foreign Secretary underlined Pakistan’s commitment to forging a broad-based and long-term bilateral relationship with the US. Underlining Pakistan’s focus on geo-economics, the Foreign Secretary reiterated the importance of enhancing economic, trade and investment ties between Pakistan and the United States.

The Foreign Secretary and Under-Secretary Nuland agreed to maintain close coordination on all matters of common interest. READ HERE.

AMBASSADOR SPEAKS WITH SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL (D-WA)

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan spoke with Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair Senate Commerce Committee. Ambassador thanked Senator Cantwell for her support for a AMBASSADOR’S PHONE CALL WITH strong Pakistan-U.S.

economic partnership, and SENATOR BILL HAGERTY (R-TN) discussed ways in which we can deepen bilateral Ambassador Dr. Asad M. trade and investment Khan spoke with Senator linkages Bill Hagerty (R-TN). Ambassador briefed Senator Hagerty about bilateral relations and Pakistan’s continued support for the Afghan peace process.

Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan held virtual meetings with various members of the US congress including Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-OH), and With Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL) Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL).

The Ambassador and Congressmen discussed various aspects of Pakistan-US bilateral relationship. They agreed to work together for strengthening Pak-US relationship that could substantially contribute to achieving regional peace and stability. The members of the US Congress agreed to With Congressman Darrell Issa (R-OH) strengthen parliamentary linkages between the two countries.

READ HERE.

With Congressman Barry Moore (R-AL)

AMBASSADOR HOLDS A ZOOM MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN TRACEY MANN (R-KS)

Ambassador held a Zoom meeting with Congressman Tracey Mann (R-KS), Ranking Member House Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. Ambassador and Congressman. Mann discussed a range of issues including exploring possibilities for enhancing Pak-US Agriculture cooperation With Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)

AMBASSADOR’S VIRTUAL MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN ANDREW GARBARINO (R-NY)

Ambassador had a virtual meeting with Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). They discussed various opportunities for further strengthening Pak-US bilateral relationship.

With Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan held meetings with Congressman Peter Meijer of Michigan, Congresswoman Lisa McClain of Michigan, and Congressman Jerry Carl of Alabama.

Congresswoman McClain and Congressman Jerry Carl are members of the House Armed Services With Congressman Peter Meijer (R-MI) Committee while Congressman Meijer serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Ambassador Khan highlighted long history of Pakistan-US relationship and how it has contributed over the decades to the promotion of regional and global peace and prosperity, as well as economic development of both countries. The members of the U.S. Congress agreed to work towards further strengthening Pakistan-U.S. With Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) bilateral relations and also emphasized the need for enhancing parliamentary exchanges.

READ HERE.

With Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL)

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan hosted U.S. journalists for lunch at the Embassy Residence.

Ambassador with Nick Schiffrin, Foreign Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan and Press Ambassador with Julie Pace, Washington Affairs & Defense Correspondent, PBS Attache, Ms. Maliha Shahid with Nishant Bureau Chief, The Associated Press. NewsHour. Dahiya, Asia Editor and Steve Inskeep, host of ‘Morning Edition’, NPR. 18

ZENGER NEWS SERVICE INTERVIEWS AMBASSADOR

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan had a sit-down interview with Richard Minister. Ambassador talked about his role as Ambassador, the history of Pakistan, it’s people and the current news and important issues of today.

AMBASSADOR VISITS NEWS WOMEN’S CLUB

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan visited News Women’s Club, Washington DC, Washington's oldest professional press club for women. He was hosted by Jan DuPlain, President and CEO of DuPlain Global Enterprises, Inc., and Claire Swift, author at Zenger News.

US-PAKISTAN BUSINESS COUNCIL (USPBC) HOSTS FINANCE MINISTER

Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin joined US-Pakistan Business Council for a conversation with members on investment and trade, and measures to deepen U.S. private sector engagement in Pakistan. Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan and President and CEO for Excelerate Energy, Steven Kobos also participated in this event.

AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH CEO AND PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE (USIP)

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan held a virtual meeting with Ms. Lise Grande, the new CEO and President of United States Institute of Peace (USIP). Ambassador and Ms. Grande discussed a range of issues including joint efforts to promote peace in the region and build a stronger Pak-US bilateral relationship.

ECONOMIC GROWTH SURVEY

Despite the worldwide economic slowdown on account of Covid, Pakistan achieved impressive growth in FY21.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan hosted an evening extravaganza at the Embassy Residence featuring sumptuous Pakistani BBQ and mouth-watering Mangoes! The event was attended, amongst others, by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY),, Rep Jim Banks (R-IN) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX)

AMBASSADOR CONGRATULATES PAKISTANI-AMERICAN U.S. OFFICIALS

SENATE CONFIRMS ZAHID QURESHI AS FIRST MUSLIM-AMERICAN FEDERAL JUDGE IN U.S. HISTORY

In a historic decision, Pakistani-American Zahid Quraishi was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, by a vote of 81-16, as the first Muslim American Article 3 federal judge in U.S. history.

READ HERE PAKISTANI-AMERICAN WOMEN CANDIDATES SADAF JAFFER AND SHAMA HAIDER WIN NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY PRIMARIES

Former Montgomery Mayor Dr. Sadaf Jaffer (left) staged a historic victory in the Assembly District 16.

In Assembly District 37, another Pakistani American, Shama Haider (right) staged an impressive victory in a four-way race.

If elected this November, Dr. Sadaf Jaffer and Shama Haider will become the first-ever Pakistani-American and Muslim women to reach the New Jersey state assembly.

READ HERE. 25

PAKISTANI-AMERICAN LEGAL SCHOLAR LINA KHAN SWORN IN AS COMMISSIONER OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Lina Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission. She made history by becoming the youngest person ever to hold the top role at the agency tasked with enforcing antitrust laws and protecting consumers.. Prior to becoming head of the FTC, Khan was an Associate Professor of Law at Columbia Law School. where she taught and wrote about antitrust law, infrastructure industries law, and the antimonopoly tradition. Her antitrust scholarship received several awards and has been published by the Yale Law Journal, Harvard Law Review, Columbia Law Review, and University of Chicago Law Review. READ HERE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN NAMES NOMAAN HUSAIN TO PRESIDENT’S COMMISSION ON WHITE HOUSE FELLOWSHIPS

President Joe Biden has appointed Pakistani American Nomaan Husain as a member to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. The Commission on White House Fellowships is composed of outstanding citizens who reflect the diversity and strength of America while representing a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and professions.

READ HERE. 26

AMNA NAWAZ NAMED CHIEF CORRESPONDENT FOR PBS NEWSHOUR

Aamna Nawaz, the daughter of Shuja Nawaz, a noted Pakistani-American author, analyst, and Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council, was named chief correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

READ HERE. SHAHZIA SIKANDER: EXTRAORDINARY REALITIES Pakistani-American artist Shahzia Sikander’s exhibition ‘Extraordinary Realities’ will be showcased at The Morgan Library and Museum, New York from June 18 through September 26, 2021.

Shazia is internationally celebrated for bringing Indo-Persian manuscript-painting traditions into dialogue with contemporary art practice. This exhibition tracks the first fifteen years of this artistic journey, from her groundbreaking deconstruction of manuscript painting in Pakistan to the development of a new personal vocabulary at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), expanded explorations around identity as a Core fellow at the Glassell School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and her global outlook during her first years in New York.

EXPLORE HERE.

AMBASSADOR VISITS AWARD-WINNING THE NEW YORK TIMES FEATURES GARDEN PAVILION IN PHILADELPHIA PESHAWARI CHAPLI KEBAB

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan visited the gold medal winning The New York Times’ features what may be the only garden pavilion designed by Iftikhar Ahmad at the Philadelphia chapli kebab food truck in Queens, New York. Flower Show. Iftikhar Ahmad is the first Pakistani American to have earned this distinction. Ambassador was received by Matt “The chapli kebab occupies a territory of its own, Rader, President Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Sam complex and elemental at the same time” says food Lemheney, Chief of Shows and Events. critic, Pete Wells.

READ HERE

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