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Islamabad: Lisa Curtis, Director of the Indo Pacific Security program at the Centre for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, on Thursday. The discussion centered around the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and the United States, with both parties recognizing the significant role of the U.S. as a major source of foreign direct investment in Pakistan and its position as Pakistan’s largest export market.
According to a statement by Press Information Department, Lisa Curtis expressed optimism about the potential growth in trade and investment relations between the two countries. She emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges to strengthen ties between the peoples of both nations. Minister Ahsan Iqbal, reflecting on Pakistan’s recent start of its tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2025-2026, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with all UN member states to uphold the principles of the UN Charter.
Minister Iqbal highlighted the government’s focus on multilateralism, international law, and peaceful resolution of disputes as part of its foreign policy. He pointed to the launch of the Uraan Pakistan five-year plan, which prioritizes export expansion, with a goal of increasing exports from $30 billion to $100 billion over the next decade. This initiative is described as a cornerstone of the government’s long-term economic strategy.
The Minister also reviewed the accomplishments of the government during its previous term, such as the transformation of Gwadar into a dynamic city and the development of infrastructure projects like a transmission line from Iran for Balochistan. He expressed regret over the setbacks faced in these projects in recent years.
Minister Iqbal outlined the government’s current efforts under the new five-year plan, focusing on completing infrastructure and connectivity projects, and expanding internet, education, and healthcare access to underprivileged areas. Addressing climate change was highlighted as a top priority, with Pakistan aiming to develop a robust local climate finance ecosystem and enhance its participation in global climate initiatives, as demonstrated by its presence at COP29.
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