US Ambassador in Pakistan Cameron Munter, accompanied by Consul General in Karachi William Martin among other diplomats held separate meetings with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Monday. According to an official handout, the governor told the US ambassador that Pakistan is a frontline state in the war against terror.
“Pakistan has rendered immense sacrifices in this war and that the world should realise this,” he added. Dr Ebad pointed out that personnel of the Pakistan Army have rendered sacrifices in the war against terror and the entire nation has been affected. He was of the view that after the killing of the al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, there should be clarity and transparency in the ties between the two countries. The governor said that any confusion in this regard would be harmful for both the countries.
“The killing of Osama Bin Laden has given raised many questions, it has also provided Pakistan and US with the opportunity to make the environment of trust on strategic matters between the two countries more effective,” he said. Dr Ebad said that the country at present is facing economic challenges and important decisions might be announced next budget that would determine its economic direction. He further said that the people of Pakistan and its government would have to convert these challenges into opportunities.
The US ambassador said that his efforts are to further strengthen his country’s ties with Pakistan. He said that he would also take his government into confidence so that the ambiguity that has come to the fore for the time being can be removed. During the US ambassador’s meeting with the chief minister, the latter briefed him on the pace of development in Sindh, keeping in view the rehabilitation and restructuring efforts after heavy floods last year, due to which the people had suffered a lot and the province’s economy ruined.
“The floods were unprecedented but the government has initiated reconstruction of flood-hit areas and rehabilitation of affected people, for which different countries had extended full support,” said Shah. He added that there are increasing opportunities within the energy sector in the province while in spite of rains and floods, there had been a bumper crop of wheat and the Sindh government has been able to export a large quantity of wheat.
Munter was of the view that Pakistan possesses huge foreign investment opportunities and investors are keen to come in Pakistan for investment in various sectors. He added that the atmosphere is congenial for furtherance of relations between Pakistan and the US so that the relations can be strengthened further.
The chief minister said that to attract foreign investment, the provincial government was giving full attention to the maintenance of law and order and concerted efforts are being made to curb criminal activities and anti-state elements.
