LAHORE:American Consul General in Lahore Stetson Sandershas appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for promoting regional peace and said the United States was keen to further strengthen diplomatic relations and parliamentary cooperation with Pakistan.
He expressed these views during a meeting with Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan at the Speaker’s Chamber at the Punjab Assembly.Minister of State Malik Rashid Ahmad Khan was also present during the meeting, where both sides held detailed discussions on Pak-US relations, regional peace, trade, education, climate change, food security and other matters of mutual interest.
Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said Pakistan and the United States enjoyed relations based on mutual trust and strong partnership. He expressed his desire to further strengthen ties between Punjab and the US state of California, adding that the Pakistani-American community was playing an effective bridge-building role between the two countries.
The speaker said that exchange of parliamentary delegations would help further enhance bilateral relations and mutual cooperation.He also briefed the US Consul General on the legislative work of the Punjab Assembly, including the effective functioning of its standing committees and parliamentary procedures.
Political and Economic Specialist at the US Consulate Lahore Sadaf Saad was also present during the meeting. From the Punjab Assembly Secretariat, Parliamentary Affairs SecretaryKhalid Mahmood, Principal Secretary to the Speaker Imad Hussain Bhalli, Adviser to the Speaker Osama Khawar, and Amjad Maan also attended the session.
