As my task as a consul general of the United States in Karachi comes to an end, I want to express my deep gratitude to the people of Pakistan, particularly Sindh and Baluchistan, for the incredible warmth and hospitality that you have shown me to my team. I would also like to share some reflections on my time in Karachi and the enormous potential of the American Association of Pakistan.
Nowhere is the potential for our association greater than in our economic relationship, where we have seen real progress and we still have space for much more growth ahead.
I had the honor of speaking in an event in Port Qasim earlier this year to celebrate the return of American soy to the Pakistani market, an important US export that will help reduce food costs in Pakistan.
I have met dozens of Pakistani companies that buy high quality American cotton, the greatest US export to Pakistan, and exporting Pakistani textiles to the United States, the largest export market in Pakistan.
From visiting the Chocolate and Tang Factories in Mondelez in Hub, Baluchistan and the Colgate factory in Hyderabad, I have seen firsthand how the US companies of Sindh and Baluchistan are creating high quality jobs for thousands of Pakistani men and women. American companies are also contributing to local communities through generous corporate social responsibility programs that support education and health. Working together, the United States and Pakistan can unlock the enormous potential of Pakistan’s economy and contribute to the prosperity of our two countries.
One of the most prominent aspects of my time as a general consul was to get involved with the next generation of Pakistani leaders and innovatives. Many of these young leaders are former students of exchange programs financed by the United States government that are now part of the vibrant network of former students of Pakistan (Puan) with more than 45,000 members throughout Pakistan.
On my trips around Sindh, from Sukkur and Jacobabad to Hyderabad and Jamshoro, I have inspired to meet many of these students who have brought a valuable experience of the United States and have turned it into action to benefit their communities.
Here in Karachi, I have met hundreds of talented university students and innovative young people, including a group of innovative Pakistani women who participate in a Tutoring Program of Regional Regional Regional Innovatives of the southern United States that use technology to address problems such as waste management and market access to the Pakistanis crafts. The business spirit and innovation of these young leaders give me great hope for the future of Pakistan.
As a big sports fan, I will treasure my memories of sports diplomacy here in Karachi: encouraging the Pakistan Cricket team during the Tri-Nation series in the Karachi National Stadium, knowing the legendary Squash Jahangir Khan champion in the World Stobershi U23 champion Playing softball at the US Squash with Pakistani students and Pakistan’s members and Pakathall members. These and other moments were a reminder of shared love of our two countries for sports and the power of sports to unite people.
Being the consul general of the United States in Karachi has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. However, what I will miss above all is the Pakistani people: its hospitality, kindness, resistance and friendship. And although I am sad to say goodbye to the Pakistani and American personnel team in the United States Consulate and the friends I have made in Pakistan, I leave Karachi sure that the American Association of Pakistan will continue to grow and thrive.
Discharge of responsibility: The views expressed in this piece are that of writer and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of PakGazette.TV.
The writer is the general consul of the United States General Consulate in Karachi.
