AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Washington D.C., In a significant acknowledgment of her efforts to bolster Pakistan-U.S. relations and her commitment to aiding Pakistan through various challenges, Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been conferred with the Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam award. The honor, awarded on the National Day of Pakistan, recognizes Power’s instrumental role in providing humanitarian assistance, especially in the wake of the devastating floods in 2022, and her advocacy for stronger bilateral cooperation in areas critical to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
According to Press Information Department, the award citation lauded Power’s contributions to enhancing the partnership between the two nations, emphasizing her advocacy for cooperation in health, education, and climate change, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges. Power, who has been serving as the 19th Administrator of USAID since May 2021, was acknowledged for her pivotal role in marshaling significant U.S. support following the floods that left one-third of Pakistan submerged, demonstrating the strong humanitarian bond between the U.S. and Pakistan.
In a video message, Power expressed her gratitude for the award, considering it a testament to the enduring partnership between USAID and the Pakistani people. She recounted her visit to Pakistan during the 2022 floods, describing the overwhelming scale of the disaster and highlighting the substantial U.S. support mobilized under her leadership, including $215 million in humanitarian assistance and an additional $37 million raised by private American citizens and companies.
Power also outlined USAID’s ongoing mission in Pakistan, focusing on improving water management systems, supporting Climate Smart Agriculture, and mobilizing climate adaptation finance through the US-Pakistan Green Alliance initiative. She reaffirmed USAID’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s recovery and future resilience.
Ambassador Masood Khan praised Power as a true friend of Pakistan, highlighting her crucial role in strengthening the ties between the two countries and elevating the stature of USAID. This award symbolizes the deep appreciation of Power’s contributions to Pakistan’s welfare and the broader U.S.-Pakistan relationship.