United States Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard Hoagland Highlights United States Commitment during Peshawar Visit

Peshawar, November 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard Hoagland affirmed the importance of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and highlighted U.S. assistance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA, including projects to rebuild infrastructure and livelihoods in the region during his recent visit to Peshawar.

In a series of meetings, Ambassador Hoagland told KP Governor Masud Kausar and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, that the United States is committed “to helping Pakistan become a secure, economically vibrant and stable democracy and looks forward, with Pakistan, to the day that assistance is no longer needed.”

Ambassador Hoagland also detailed U.S. assistance to the region, which has built more than 470 kilometres of roads, launched more than 2,000 community-based projects, provided clean drinking water for more than two 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.

During radio and print interviews, Ambassador Hoagland highlighted the on-going cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism: “We are working together with your leadership to realize this vision, and we are grateful for 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.”

During his trip, Ambassador Hoagland also visited the Peshawar Museum, paying respect to the history and heritage of Pakistan. Founded in 1907, the museum houses the largest collection of Gandhara Greco-Buddhist art in the world. Director Shah Nazar Khan and Curator Nidaullah Serhai guided the Ambassador on a tour of ancient relics depicting the history and culture of Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

For more information, contact:
Alberto Rodriguez
Spokesman
Information Office
Public Affairs Section
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Cell: +92300 501 2640
Web: http://islamabad.usembassy.gov