THE United States welcomes Pakistani and other foreign students to its universities, colleges and other educational institutions. Yet, a recent article (Rafia Zakari’s column ‘Aid and achievement’, Feb 20) in your respected publication argued that Pakistani science and technology students “are often stymied in their ability to develop ideas or partake of an education … in the United States ... much of this owing to mistrust … security issues of clearance ... and background checks that impose huge ... delays, even when Pakistani students are accepted by US institutions on merit scholarships.”

The US embassy wishes to respectfully respond to these inaccurate claims. Consider the following:

Over 25,000 Pakistani students have successfully studied in America over the past five years. The US mission in Pakistan approves nearly 100 per cent of the qualified, legitimate student visas applications. In 2012, 41.5 per cent of the Pakistani students in the United States were studying in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. All student applicants, while subject to normal visa processing and clearance requirements, are offered timely and respectful service.

The US government actively encourages and supports bilateral student exchange. The US mission in Pakistan supports the world’s largest exchange program, sending over 1,000 Pakistanis on fully funded US educational programs every year. The US Fulbright program in Pakistan is the world’s largest and one of the oldest. Since 1951, 4,000 of Pakistan’s most talented students have pursued advanced studies in the United States on this program and since 2005, the priority fields have been in science, specifically, energy, water and agriculture.

Furthermore, the US, through USAID, has provided scholarships to more than 12,000 low-income Pakistani students to attend college here in Pakistan. USAID is investing over $127 million over the next five years on three university-to-university partnerships in energy, agriculture and water to promote applied scientific research and eight other programs to build links between academic institutions in the US and Pakistan.

USAID is also building or rehabilitating over 850 schools, constructing 17 faculty of education buildings on public university campuses and launching new education degree programs at 90 teacher colleges and universities. Through these programs, millions of Pakistani students will be better equipped to compete in the global labor force and contribute to Pakistan’s development.

The United States’ long-term commitment to Pakistani education and exchanges between our two countries is unshakeable.

For more information about educational opportunities in the United States and our support to the education sector here in Pakistan, please visit www.usefpakistan.org and http://transition.usaid.gov/pk/.

PETER BRENNAN Director of Communications and Public Affairs US Mission Pakistan