Ali Jahangir Siddiqui seeks effective representation of Pakistan in US

WASHINGTON: Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, Pakistan’s new ambassador to the United States (US), has said that Pakistan is well on its way to a revival.

Speaking at an event held to welcome the new envoy, Siddiqui said, “Everyone needs to participate in Pakistan’s revival and reemergence and we are our well on our way towards it”.

“I am not denying we have challenges, but many countries have challenges,” he stated, adding that it would be difficult to find a country that is not facing one.

Siddiqui urged the Pakistani community to step forward to participate alongside him, hold him accountable and work with him in order to get Pakistan back to where it once was rather than talking about the negativity.

Although the new ambassador did not touch upon the Pakistan-US relationship at the event, he urged the Pakistani-American community present at the event to take part in politics to represent Pakistan effectively.

“You can support us in many ways,” said the ambassador. “But more important than that is to participate in your political discourse and process.”

“If you can do that, then you can carry the Pakistan story and naturally offer a perspective that is your own, presenting Pakistan in a fair way,” he added.

Ali Jahangir Siddiqui, whose appointment as a US envoy was severely criticised by all quarters, on Friday provided his credentials to US President Donald Trump as well.

During his visit to the White House, Siddiqui presented his credentials and related documents, in order to officially start working as Pakistan’s diplomat in the US.

Siddiqui was named the ambassador on May 8 after Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, his predecessor, stepped down.

Then, on May 29, the new envoy reached US capital city Washington and took over his new role of ambassadorship on May 30.

While Siddiqui has met various leaders and officials over this time, he can only now, after the presentation of his credentials, officially work and meet notables as the Pakistani ambassador.