May 09, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 3, 1429

KARACHI, May 8: The United States is closely studying the matter of issuing visas from Karachi together with other ways to give a boost to commercial and business ties between the two countries.

This was stated by US ambassador Anne W. Patterson at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new US consulate building in the city on Thursday. She was joined by Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro.

Ms Patterson noted that suspension of US visa issuance from Karachi was a matter of concern to political and certain other quarters. The process had been suspended several years back due to security concerns.

The US ambassador termed the new consulate building “a milestone in the long US diplomatic presence in the city.”

“The groundbreaking is the symbol of the strong relationship the two countries have been enjoying for more than 60 years,” she noted.

According to her, Pakistanis are allies in the global war on terror while the US is supporting Islamabad in health care and education programmes to make Pakistan more competitive and successful.

Pointed out that the United States was the strongest supporter of Pakistan’s continuing democratic process, she stressed the need for close productive relationship between Washington and Islamabad, as well as all political parties, civil society organizations and government functionaries for the benefit of the citizens of Pakistan.

Ms Patterson said the US policy was based on Pakistan’s entity as a sovereign and independent state with which the US had vital interests. She said the US was investing $175 million in its new consulate general which would contribute to Pakistan’s economy and provide employment to the people of Karachi.

The others present at the ceremony included US Consul General Kay L. Anske, Saudi Consul General Dr Hassan Al Attar, deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza, Sindh ministers Pir Mazharul Haq, Agha Siraj Durrani and Faisal Sabzwari, and MQM parliamentary party leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar.