Ambassador Munter Highlights United State Commitment in Peshawar Visit

Islamabad: Ambassador Munter tells students, KPCCI that the United States is committed to improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities in KP and FATA

U.S. Ambassador Cameron P. Munter affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and highlighted U.S. assistance to Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw and FATA, including more than $750 million in U.S. projects to rebuild infrastructure and livelihoods in the region. The Ambassador also offered his condolences for the police officers and others who lost their lives in a bombing in Peshawar last night.

In a series of meetings, Ambassador Munter told members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) and students that the United States looks forward to “re-engaging with the Pakistani government at the appropriate time, with a new focus based on realistic expectations and founded on mutual respect.” The Ambassador also detailed U.S. assistance to the region, which has built more than 200
kilometres of roads and provided clean drinking water for more than 2 million residents in the FATA, and pledged to help local officials increase educational and economic opportunities and reconnect the region to the rest of Pakistan.

“We are working together with your leadership to realize this vision, and we are very proud of the partnership we share with the government at the national, provincial, and city level. It truly is an enduring relationship that we are building here in the FATA and KP,” Ambassador Munter said.

Ambassador Munter had been scheduled to deliver a speech to students at Peshawar University but the engagement was cancelled by the Government of Pakistan due to security concerns. Despite the cancellation, Ambassador Munter met with a group of Peshawar University students benefitting from U.S.-funded scholarships to pursue bachelor’s degrees in education. The visit also included a lunch at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Munter assured the over 30 members that there is much more room for expansion in U.S.-Pakistan trade, and that the United States is committed to creating opportunities for KP businesspeople. During his visit, Ambassador Munter also met with KP Governor Masud Kasaur, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, and Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir Khan.

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