Pakistan and the US on Saturday confirmed their commitment to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries and improve cooperation in key areas.

The development came as an American Congress Delegation (Codel), led by representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) and including representatives Thomas Richard Suozzi and Jonathan L Jackson with other senior US officials, met with federal minister of planning, development and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal in the federal capital.

The meeting focused on strengthening the bilateral relations in Pakistan-USA, especially in development cooperation and future collaboration across different sectors, a statement said.

By welcoming the delegation, Iqbal highlighted the deeply rooted relationship between Pakistan and the United States that emphasized shared values, mutual respect and a common commitment to progress.

He emphasized that Pakistan’s long -standing and widely based relationship with out remains a key chair in his foreign policy.

A strong partnership between both countries, he noted, contributes significantly to regional stability and global peace, especially in an unstable global environment.

In the realities of new Pakinomist-policy, there is a need to establish a new equilibrium in the relationship between PAK-ERA based on the basic realities, mutual trust and development-focused partnership.

Iqbal highlighted the need to understand Pakistan’s socio -economic challenges in the wake of the two American weding wars in the region.

Pakistan has carried brown and burden for over 3.5 million refugees for over three decades, drugs and guns running in society and the rise of extremism.

The Minister emphasized the need to establish a new foundation in bilateral ties that focused on development, especially in education, energy, climate change, infrastructure and information technology.

Iqbal recognized from his own academic experience in the United States and recognized the transformative effect of the US higher education in the form of global leaders and innovators.

He quoted initiatives such as the Fulbright Scholarship Program, the largest of its kind in the world that has authorized thousands of Pakistani students to gain access to world-class education and contribute meaningfully to national development.

To propose improved cooperation in the education sector, the minister urged the importance of “Pak-US Knowledge Corridor” and the establishment of campuses for the top US universities in Pakistan and secured the government full ease.

He called for academic partnerships and joint programs to develop a very skilled human resource base that is most critical of Pakistan’s sustainable growth and future prosperity.

With reference to the devastating floods of 2022, Iqbal remembered the huge economic loss of over $ 30 billion, which affected almost a third of the country.

He highlighted the importance of renewed cooperation in climate insurance and disaster preparedness.

In the agricultural sector, the minister noted the success of the Green Revolution in the 1960s, enabled through US support, which helped Pakistan achieve food security by introducing high -yield wheat varieties. He called for a “Green Revolution 2.0” in the light of climate change in which he advocates smart and climate, resilient agriculture through technology transfer and joint ventures. With input from app