U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar The below is attributable to U.S. Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met today with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss mutual priorities of the United States and Pakistan. Both leaders discussed counterterrorism cooperation, Pakistan’s structural economic reforms and efforts to address security, regional and economic challenges. The Ambassador reaffirmed the United States support for Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms and underscored U.S. support for expanding business-to-business links and fostering a conducive environment for investors. Ambassador Blome also highlighted potential areas for investment and trade opportunities, along with collaboration within the energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors.

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Finance Minister Aurangzeb

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Finance Minister Aurangzeb The below is attributable to Acting U.S. Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met today with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss key aspects of the U.S.-Pakistan trade, investment, and economic relationship. The Ambassador highlighted ongoing U.S. support for Pakistan’s economic reform agenda. Ambassador Blome noted the United States is committed to working with Pakistan in technical and development initiatives, emphasizing that the United States remains Pakistan’s largest export market, a major source of high-quality investment and a strong partner for Pakistan’s economic future.

May 23, 2024 U.S. and Sindh Government Launch $9 Million Initiative to Combat Tuberculosis in Pakistan  Karachi, May 23, 2024 – U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, and Sindh Minister for Health and Population Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho launched a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing tuberculosis (TB), a significant health challenge in Pakistan. This joint effort between the United States and Pakistan signifies a crucial step forward in combating this disease. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the newly launched program, named the Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON), is an investment of $9 million over five years. Its primary goal is to provide expert guidance and resources for Pakistan to effectively tackle TB. Through direct engagement with affected communities and individuals, the program will tailor solutions to meet specific needs. TB-LON will treat more TB cases in Sindh and significantly reduce the number of people affected by the disease. Ambassador Blome emphasized the strong partnership between the U.S. and the Sindh government stating, "Tuberculosis is not just a disease affecting millions in Pakistan; it’s an illness that disrupts lives, livelihoods, and communities. Pakistan ranks fifth among countries with the highest rate of TB, but I am proud to say, we are changing that with this groundbreaking $9 million initiative that will provide expert guidance and resources to help eradicate TB, exemplifying our constant commitment to the resilient people of Sindh.”   Dr. Pechuho expressed appreciation for the ongoing support from the U.S. government and reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services. "We are confident that our joint efforts in addressing critical health challenges will bring a positive change in the lives of people of Sindh," she added, emphasizing the importance of joint efforts in addressing critical health challenges. Despite being preventable and treatable, TB remains the world’s leading infectious disease killer, sickening 10.6 million people and taking 1.3 million lives annually and Pakistan ranks fifth amongst high TB burden countries. USAID leads the U.S. government’s global TB efforts, working with partners around the world including Pakistan, on the shared goals of reaching every person with TB, curing those in need of treatment, and preventing the spread of new infections. USAID prioritizes local community involvement, recognizing its critical role in ensuring sustainable and effective outcomes.

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Blome at the Launch Ceremony of USAID’s Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TB-LON) Delivered on May 22, 2024 Marriott Hotel Karachi Assalam-o-Alaikum and Good Morning! Tuberculosis is a disease that affects millions in Pakistan and disrupts lives, livelihoods, and communities. Pakistan ranks fifth among countries with the highest rate of TB, but I am proud to say, we are working to change that. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Government of Sindh, and local partners are proving that partnership and innovation can make a real difference. That is why we are gathered today - to launch a groundbreaking $9 million initiative, which will provide expert guidance and resources to help eradicate TB, exemplifying our commitment to the people of Pakistan. Despite its preventable and treatable nature, TB remains a formidable global threat, claiming millions of lives annually. Working together, we will strengthen Pakistan's capacity to combat this public health crisis, reaching every person affected by TB, curing those in need of treatment, while preventing new infections. The United States is leading the global fight against TB and we have committed over $4.7 billion worldwide since 2000, underscoring our dedication to end this preventable and treatable disease. In Pakistan, our investment in the Tuberculosis Local Organization addresses this pressing public health challenge head-on. We seek not only to combat TB but to empower communities equipped to tackle future health challenges. Over the past 75 years, our partnership has been instrumental in driving transformative progress across Sindh province. Together with the Government of Sindh, we've worked to tackle malnutrition, clean water, and quality schools. And we will continue to do more to address the most pressing health needs in Sindh. We are proud to partner with the Dopasi Foundation on this initiative. Local expertise and sustainable, community-driven solutions are fundamental to success. So, thank you for your commitment to tackle this challenge. Finally, I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government of Sindh, particularly to Minister Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho and her team, for their unwavering support for all of this work. Your dedication is invaluable as we work towards a TB-free future for Sindh and beyond. Thank you all for joining us today. Shukriya!

United States Inaugurates Cleantech Investment Roadshow in Karachi

Karachi, May 22, 2024 – Today the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome inaugurated the second Investment Roadshow, supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Fourteen innovative companies in the clean technology sector showcased their work at the roadshow, promoting private sector investment in sustainable and viable clean energy solutions. Organized by the USAID-funded Pakistan Private Sector Energy (PPSE) Project, the event sought to catalyze investment in commercially viable clean energy projects and help businesses access critical financing. Since its inception, PPSE has mobilized over $30 million for projects focused on clean energy, e-mobility, and energy efficiency. "Expanding clean energy requires a supportive environment, which is why the United States continues to work with Pakistan on developing a stronger investment climate,” said Ambassador Donald Blome, adding that “investing in clean energy and low-carbon technologies is crucial for Pakistan to achieve its renewable energy goals." Sindh Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Affairs Dr. Nabeela Umer, echoed Ambassador Blome's remarks, emphasizing the importance of U.S. support for Pakistan’s energy transition. "We wholeheartedly welcome the efforts by the United States to support our energy sector transition," she said, noting "this roadshow is a vital platform for showcasing the critical need for increased investment in scaling up clean energy companies. We are grateful to the organizers for uniting the government, private sector, and financiers to highlight the innovative work the innovative work companies in Pakistan are doing to reduce emissions." The fourteen participating companies presented prototype models and pitched their innovative solutions to a diverse group of investors and financiers.

Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Blome at the Investment Roadshow by USAID Pakistan Private Sector Energy Activity Avari Hotel Karachi  Assalaam-o-Alaikum and Good Morning!   It's with great pleasure that I welcome you all here today to the second Cleantech Sector Investment Road Show organized by the USAID Pakistan Private Sector Energy project.   Since our last roadshow in Karachi in May of 2023, we have mobilized over $30 million in new cleantech investments, which promise significant improvements in Pakistan's energy market. As you just heard, more encouraging developments are on the horizon. Amid shared global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation, Pakistan’s cleantech sector stands out as an example of real innovation.  This sector is vital for creating sustainable solutions that not only mitigate environmental impact but also unlock new opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.  Investing in clean energy and low-carbon technologies is crucial to achieving the government's ambitious renewable energy goals.  These investments will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also mitigate the long-term effects of climate change. Green growth requires a supportive policy and regulatory environment, which is why we continue to support improvement in those areas.  We commend the Pakistani government’s reform initiatives, such as efforts to develop a wholesale competitive energy market.  I urge you to stay engaged on this priority because market development will bring more opportunities for private investment and leadership, and competition will fuel market growth. All of us -- investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and advocates play a vital role in driving the cleantech revolution. We must continue to support and invest in Pakistani talent, fostering the brilliant minds and bold ideas that will shape our future. The United States and Pakistan have a long history of working together to solve development and humanitarian challenges and just as the Green Revolution improved the quality of life for Pakistanis starting in the 1960s, today, we’re making strategic investments in clean energy, water, and agriculture to help better position Pakistan for the future through the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework. Together, by leveraging $1.5 billion in private sector investments, we've connected 780 megawatts of wind power to the national grid, significantly reducing carbon emissions.  Our support also facilitated deals for 910 megawatts of clean energy, securing over $900 million in private investments through technical assistance and loan guarantee programs. These achievements not only mark significant progress towards a sustainable energy future but they also lay the groundwork for continued innovation and growth in the renewable energy sector. And we want to do so much more, in partnership with this community. This roadshow will showcase some of the most promising cleantech innovations, connect investors with visionary entrepreneurs, and foster collaboration that will accelerate the transition to a cleaner, greener world. When you leave today, I ask you all to remain committed to the spirit of today's event. Let’s grow these markets for Pakistan's, and the world’s, benefit. Let us remain dedicated to driving positive change, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.  So, thank you all for being here today.  It is wonderful to see you all. Shukriya! 

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with State Minister for IT & Telecommunications Shaza Fatima The below is attributable to U.S. Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley: U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome met today with Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima Khawaja. Ambassador Blome conveyed the United States’ desire to broaden cooperation in the information technology sector, noting Pakistan’s immense potential for growth in the digital economy, and the leading role of U.S. firms in bringing investment and innovation to the sector.

Joint Statement of the U.S.- Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue

May 13, 2024

Friday, Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Elizabeth Richard and Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary for the UN and OIC Ambassador Syed Haider Shah co-chaired the U.S.-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue. The Counterterrorism Dialogue underscores the cooperation between the United States and Pakistan in addressing the most pressing challenges to regional and global security, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan. Discussions centered on the counterterrorism landscape in the region, with a focus on areas of mutual interest. U.S. and Pakistani senior officials emphasized the importance of expanded counterterrorism collaboration and capacity building, including exchanges of technical expertise and best practices, investigative and prosecutorial assistance, provision of border security infrastructure and training, including the United States training of more than 300 police and frontline responders since the last U.S.-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in March 2023, and strengthening multilateral engagement such as in the UN and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The United States and Pakistan recognize that a partnership to counter ISIS-Khorasan, TTP, and other terrorist organizations will advance security in the region and serve as a model of bilateral and regional cooperation to address transnational terrorism threats. Both governments resolved to increase communication on these topics and continue collaboration to detect and deter violent extremism through whole-of-government approaches. The Counterterrorism Dialogue reaffirms the United States’ and Pakistan’s shared determination to contribute to both regional and global security and stability.

U.S. Ambassador Blome at the Fifth Annual Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Conference

Marriott Hotel Islamabad AMBASSADOR BLOME: Thank you. Thanks for joining us today, it’s a real honor to be here at the fifth annual Humphrey Alumni Conference. I want to thank Federal Secretary Mr. Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani for joining us – for your insightful words and all your work to support the education foundation and all of our educational efforts. I also want to thank Rita, Mazhar, and the entire U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) and Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) teams. You have not only organized what I am sure will be a great conference, but also continue to engage U.S. exchange alumni – like those here today – in creative and innovative ways. Thank you for your years of partnership and support. And of course, thanks to all of you, our distinguished Humphrey alumni. Each of you was chosen for this conference because you demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility - the theme of our conference. You are making your communities, Pakistan, the United States, and the world a better place. Through your work and as a part of this community, you are a bridge between Pakistan and the United States, deepening our mutual understanding and advancing our shared goals. Along with the other 44,000 PUAN members from dozens of other U.S. exchange programs, you are helping to address some of the world’s biggest challenges – from tackling climate change and preventing social conflict to championing equal rights and promoting public health, each of you is making a difference. In January, I had the honor of sharing a PUAN stage with Humphrey alumnus Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, who, as you all know, established Akhuwat. Through his groundbreaking microfinance programs, he and his teams have supported more than 5.2 million Pakistanis living in poverty, increased access to education for children throughout the country, and established a socially responsible microfinance model that serves as an example to countries worldwide. Another Humphrey alumnus, and a champion of human rights, Ramesh Jaipal escaped forced child labor, earned a Humphrey fellowship, studied law and human rights at American University in Washington, and is now leading the fight for equal rights for religious minorities, including by drafting the first Pakistani Hindu Marriage Bill in 2017. Just last month, I had the honor of speaking alongside Muhammad Atif, our 2023 Distinguished Humphrey Alumnus, at the first PUAN Accessibility and Inclusion Job Fair. And since his Humphrey fellowship, Atif has not only successfully advocated for the rights of persons with disabilities across Pakistan, but has become a global leader for that cause. These are just a few of the remarkable Humphrey alumni stories. Each of you brings your own successes and your own stories to this conference and your communities. I hope this weekend is an opportunity to learn from one another, to celebrate one another’s accomplishments, and continue to collaborate as a Humphrey and PUAN community. So once again, thank you to all of you for what you’ve done for Pakistan, what you have done for U.S. - Pakistan relations, and what you are doing for our shared planet. I wish you a successful and memorable Humphrey Alumni Conference.

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Meeting with Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan

The below is attributable to Acting U.S. Mission Spokesperson Thomas Montgomery: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met today with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan and other senior members of the opposition to discuss a broad range of issues important to the bilateral relationship, including U.S. support for continued economic reforms, human rights, and regional security. Highlighting the importance of long-term reforms for sustainable economic growth for a stable and secure future for the people of Pakistan, Ambassador Blome underscored the United States’ support for Pakistan to engage constructively with the IMF on its reform program. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of the two countries’ shared interests and the many opportunities to advance our shared goals, including accelerating projects addressing climate change under the Green Alliance framework.