“There are vast opportunities to build a strong partnership between Pakistan and Texas in various sectors, including IT, agriculture, textiles, and sports,” stated Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.
He emphasized Pakistan’s strategic position, noting, “With a large market of 250 million people, Pakistan can serve as an economic hub not just for the region but also for major global economies.”
Ambassador Sheikh highlighted the significant role the Pakistani diaspora in the U.S. can play in strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and the U.S., while helping foster economic opportunities in Pakistan.
These remarks were made during his three-day visit to Texas, where he engaged with Texas leadership, the business community, and the Pakistani diaspora in Dallas and Houston. The visit focused on exploring avenues for enhancing Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations and connecting with the Pakistani-American community in Texas, many of whom are making notable contributions in their respective professions.
On the first day, Ambassador Sheikh met with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to discuss potential cooperation in IT, agriculture, textiles, and sports. He underscored that as the 8th largest economy in the world, Texas presents significant trade and economic opportunities for Pakistan.
In Houston, Ambassador Sheikh inaugurated the first-ever two-day Pakistan Literature Festival, organized by the International Academy of Letters. He emphasized the importance of art, literature, people-to-people exchanges, and public diplomacy in strengthening ties between Pakistan and the U.S.
Earlier in the visit, the Ambassador met with the Ismaili community leadership at the Jamaat Khana, acknowledging their contributions under the guidance of His Highness Aga Khan.
He also joined Congressman Al Green and diplomatic corps members in a send-off ceremony for two containers of medical equipment bound for Pakistan. Ambassador Sheikh praised the humanitarian efforts of organizations like the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, Medical Bridges, Alliance for Disaster Relief, and Helping Hand.
During his visit to Dallas, Ambassador Sheikh met with Congressman Lance Carter Gooden over lunch to discuss Pak-U.S. relations, security and defense cooperation, and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
In a meeting with the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA, the Ambassador highlighted Pakistan’s trade and investment potential, particularly in IT and agriculture, and assured Pakistani-American businesses of support in exploring opportunities in Pakistan.
Throughout his visit, Ambassador Sheikh praised the Pakistani diaspora for their role in strengthening Pak-U.S. relations and enhancing Pakistan’s image in the U.S. “Our community is the strongest link in the Pak-U.S. relationship. You have excelled in your fields and projected a positive image of Pakistan in the United States,” he said.
He underscored the importance of fostering robust economic ties between Pakistan and the U.S., reiterating the Embassy and Consulate’s commitment to supporting the Pakistani-American community. He expressed gratitude for their contributions to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.
The Ambassador’s visit to Houston was widely covered by local media in Texas.
