WASHINGTON: A senior US official pledged on Friday to mobilise the whole US government to support the alliance with Pakistan and to strengthen the Pakistani economy.

Dr Dafna Rand, Direc­tor of the Office of Foreign Ass­istance, made this ple­d­ge at the Pakistan Day rec­­e­ption at the embassy while speaking on behalf of the US secretary of state.

The reception brought officials from various US departments, including the State and the Pentagon.

“We want to strengthen climate smart agriculture and to assist all Pakistanis in making critical investments in areas such as economic growth and restoration of damaged infrastructure,” Dr Rand said in her speech.

“We will explore how we can most effectively bring the private sector into public diplomacy, technical cooperation, public-private partnerships, export, import and trade. We will mobilise the whole US government to support this alliance.”

Ambassador Masood Khan set the tone for the evening’s conversation by pointing out that the United States and Pakistan had a resilient relationship, based on principles of reciprocity and friendship.

“This is a lasting legacy for the people of Pakistan and the United States. We cherish it and we will continue to nurture it,” he said.

Dr Rand said that “both of our governments resolve to continue deepening our relationship and to work together for Green Alliance”.

While official statements focused on exploring new avenues for cooperation, the conversation on the floor focused on the current situation in Pakistan.

Professor Marvin G. Weinbaum, one of the most respected scholars of South Asian affairs in Washington, noted that Pakistani politicians “often engage in unbridled behavior in their contest for power, but recently, “the country’s political landscape has become especially bizarre and worrisome”.

Commenting on the decision to delay the election till October, he said the PDM government needed time to show progress but warned that “further delay could generate massive protests, necessitating the deployment of more security forces and further raising the prospects of a military intervention”.

Dr Javed Manzur, a Pakistani political activist, acknowledged that Imran Khan’s “popularity has continued to increase since his ouster. But he argued that the new Imran Khan will be even more difficult to deal with” if he returned to power “with a massive support”.

A senior Pakistani diplomat, who did not want to be identified, urged “all political players to sit together and find a way out, as nothing else will work”.

Prof Touqir Hussain, who teaches diplomacy at Georgetown University, agreed with this suggestion, adding that this “unending crisis” was already hurting Pakistan. One good news, mentioned repeatedly at the reception, is the introduction of a resolution in the US House of Representatives to designate March 23 as the Pakistan Day in the United States as well.

Ambassador Khan thanked Congressman Jamaal Bowman, a New York Democrat, for moving the resolution.

“It is proper and desirable for the United States to recognise and pay tribute to those who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of the United States,” the resolution stated.

The ambassador also thanked the American Pakistan Advocacy group, particularly its president Ali Rashid, who worked diligently with the Congressman on the resolution.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2023