Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has presented his Letter of Credence to President Joseph R. Biden, officially becoming the 30th ambassador of Pakistan to the United States.
The ceremony, held at Blair House, was attended by members of the diplomatic community and senior US administration officials.
In his remarks, Ambassador Sheikh extended greetings from the President, Prime Minister, and people of Pakistan to their American counterparts. He emphasized the longstanding cooperative relationship between Pakistan and the United States, highlighting various foundations laid to strengthen bilateral ties.
The Ambassador recalled the US’s assistance to Pakistan during its early years and noted that both countries continue to invest in their partnership, enhancing cooperation in areas such as climate change, energy, health, trade, and investment.
“Pakistan-US economic partnership is central to our engagement, with the United States remaining the largest destination for Pakistani exports,” he stated. He highlighted the significant trade potential, expressing Pakistan’s readiness to enhance trade and welcome US investments in alternative energy, green technology, industry, digital platforms, higher education, and more.
Ambassador Sheikh also acknowledged the vital role of Pakistan’s large and dynamic diaspora in the US, calling them a bridge between the two nations. He stressed the need for structured, broad-based, and result-oriented dialogues in both security and non-security areas to invigorate the relationship and promote mutual interests.
Welcoming the Ambassador back to Washington, President Biden noted the importance of this occasion. “It signifies over 75 years of friendship between our nations and our ongoing commitment to economic engagement, security cooperation, people-to-people ties, and cultural exchange,” he said.
He added, “The enduring partnership between our nations is critical for ensuring the security of our people and those around the world. The United States will continue to stand with Pakistan in addressing the most pressing global and regional challenges we face.”
