Stone by stone By US Ambassador David Hale

Stone by stone

By US Ambassador David Hale

During my first few weeks in Pakistan, I was lucky enough to visit Taxila, one of the world’s oldest centers of higher learning. I was awed by the planning required to produce and maintain such an achievement which highlights an early and continuing commitment to curiosity and advancement. I see that vibrant spirit of innovation is still apparent in Pakistan today. some 5,000 years later.

 I feel remarkably privileged to serve as the American Ambassador to Pakistan and I am eager to help both of our countries continue to advance and innovate. Pakistan has a central role to play not only in South Asia but globally. A stable, prosperous Pakistan, with strong democratic institutions, is in the best interest of the Pakistani people, the United States, the region, and the world.

 In recent years, trust and partnership between Pakistan and the United States have grown considerably. This is due in no small part to cooperation in key areas like education, innovation, energy, and security. That cooperation didn’t appear overnight. It had to be built with commitment and effort from both sides. The results we have already achieved illustrate the choices we make together matter.

The United States and Pakistan share a long history of working together in the field of education to improve teaching standards, to build and rehabilitate schools, and to expose students to new ideas through exchanges such as the Fulbright Program. I look forward to continuing this partnership in education through joint initiatives like “Let Girls Learn.” In fact, I personally know the transformative impact of girls’ education on families. My grandmother was the first person in my family to attend. In a time before the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution codified women’s right to vote, and when women were still barred from many universities, my grandmother made a courageous choice to pursue higher education, which had far-reaching consequences for herself and her family.

In a short time in Pakistan, I have seen similar choices being made here, as people defy expectations and rise above challenges. That said, an educated populace is the foundation of a strong democracy, and access to quality education should not be a struggle. Education provides the surest path to a better life for individuals and a more prosperous future for their nations.

 Pakistan has deep reserves of talent and is already home to innovators in various fields. Still, more are awaiting opportunities and investments to demonstrate their capabilities. The United States is committed to promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in Pakistan, through capacity building and civilian assistance. Programs like WECREATE, for example, give Pakistani women access to valuable networks and help them to develop ideas into practical business models.

Energy is another area of long-term partnership between the United States and Pakistan. Pakistani businesses and communities know well that growing demand for energy has far outpaced the supply of energy. This challenge reflects a larger, global need for sustainable solutions. The United States is working with Pakistan to tap into the country’s hydropower reserves and to further develop other sources of renewable energy. Our signature projects have trained thousands of energy sector professionals, introduced international best practices to the industry, including state-of-the-art technologies, and added over 1,750 megawatts to Pakistan’s electric grid.

Finally, of course, is the issue of security. Both Pakistan and the United States share a commitment to preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Pakistan has also taken important strides in uprooting terrorist safe havens and targeting militant groups within its borders. U.S. security assistance is directly supporting Pakistan’s ability to conduct counter-insurgency operations.

There is some truth to the adage “geography is destiny.” Pakistan’s location and natural resources have historically made it a strategic hub; echoes of yesterday’s Silk Road can be seen in today’s Karakoram Highway. In this populous, tumultuous region, neighborly relations are key to Pakistan’s security and prosperity. I believe Pakistan’s support of the Afghan-owned, Afghan-led peace process will be critical to the success of this effort. By the same token, Pakistan and Afghanistan share a long border and a shared interest in combatting the threats that spring from ungoverned spaces in remote places. It is equally important that relations between Pakistan and India be normalized, not just for the two nations in question, but for regional stability. If there is a theme to these priorities, it is stability. By that I do not mean an immutable stability, but one that rises to the occasion of the day and is pliable enough to adapt.

Pakistan is a dynamic and growing nation. Throughout the world, democracy is a work in constant progress. The United States is committed to partner with Pakistan in strengthening the structures and institutions of governance. Pakistan and the United States will continue to have some differences of opinion and perspective, but we share mutual respect, common values, and common interests. I look forward to learning from Pakistanis during my assignment here and to working together to build on the strong foundation we have already laid.

David Hale is the American Ambassador to Pakistan.

Source: US Embassy Magazine Khabr-o-Nazar, December-January, 2016.