Council Chairman Ashraf Qazi and Board member Mr. Junaid Qurashi met recently with the top U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad to discuss the importance of bilateral cooperation between the two nations. They had the opportunity to speak at length with U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter on the importance of nurturing economic growth and private-sector development.

The Council leaders expressed their support for the establishment of the Pakistani-American Enterprise Fund. The Enterprise Fund, based on legislation introduced in July of 2010 would provide much-needed financial capital and expertise to small and medium-sized businesses that are integral to the growth and rebounding of Pakistan’s economy.

Chairman Qazi and Mr. Qurashi also discussed with Ambassador Munter the importance of delegation visits to Pakistan by Pakistani-Americans in order to witness firsthand the country’s state of affairs and areas in most need. They suggested that such visits would foster a stronger, far more personal bond that is impossible to achieve remotely, from half a world away. Ambassador Munter expressed great enthusiasm for such dialogue. “Positive people-to-people engagement between our Pakistani-American diaspora back home and leaders here is vital to fostering good bilateral relations,” he said. “We look to you to engage the diaspora in coordination with the Pakistan/American Chambers of Commerce to promote stronger trade ties between Pakistan and the United States.”

In addition to meeting with Ambassador Munter, the Council also had the opportunity to meet with outgoing Coordinator for USAID to Pakistan, Ambassador Robin Raphel. Ambassador Raphel has been responsible for coordinating non-military aid to the region. She emphatically echoed the sentiment that Pakistan’s urgent economic needs are paramount and must be addressed through high impact infrastructure projects that will ultimately prove beneficial to both the people of Pakistan and the United States’ own interest in raising its profile in the region.

The Council greatly appreciates the time given by Ambassador Munter and USAID Coordinator Ambassador Raphel, and looks forward to carrying on the conversation into the future.