Pakistan-US Ties on Better Track; Rizwan Saeed Sheikh

WASHINGTON: (Special Reporter) – Pakistan-US ties have entered a more positive phase, but the recent improvement must be converted into a long-term and productive partnership, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh said.

Addressing a gathering of Pakistani American journalists and community members in Washington, Ambassador Sheikh said the relationship between Islamabad and Washington was currently in a considerably better position than it had been in the past. However, he warned that neither side could afford to become complacent.

The ambassador was speaking at a special ceremony organised by the Pakistani American Press Association (PAPA) to celebrate the 250th anniversary of US independence and Pakistan’s forthcoming 79th Independence Day.

The event brought together diplomats, politicians, government officials, journalists, business leaders, academics, community representatives and prominent members of the Pakistani American community.

Sheikh said the improvement in bilateral ties provided an opportunity to build a relationship that was stronger, more stable and capable of producing practical benefits for both countries.

He pointed out that Pakistan-US relations had gone through repeated periods of cooperation and tension over the decades. Despite these ups and downs, he said, the relationship had survived and continued to evolve.

According to the ambassador, Pakistan’s role was not limited to maintaining stability within its own borders. He said the country also had the potential to contribute to peace and stability in the region and play a constructive role internationally.

He also referred to the trilateral defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye signed in Makkah, saying the agreement highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance and its position in the region.

Sheikh said the economic side of the Pakistan-US relationship should receive greater attention in the coming years. He identified trade, investment and broader economic cooperation as key areas that could give the bilateral partnership a stronger and more sustainable foundation.

The ambassador stressed that economic engagement could provide continuity to the relationship regardless of changes in governments or diplomatic leadership. He said the aim should be to establish ties whose benefits would continue well beyond the tenure of any individual ambassador or administration.

He expressed hope that Pakistan and the United States would build a relationship based on lasting interests rather than short-term developments, allowing future generations to benefit from stronger bilateral cooperation.

The ceremony also included a series of awards recognising individuals for their contributions to journalism, public service, law, business, social welfare, arts and literature, security and efforts to strengthen Pakistan-US relations.

Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Judge Amina Khan, Police Chief Kamran Afzal, Dr Sajid Tarar, veteran journalist Anwar Iqbal, Azeem M. Mian, Naveed Butt, Dr Bina Goindi, Abdul Rauf Shakoori, Mian Tahir Ismail, Muhammad Saleem and Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.

Other prominent Pakistani American figures were also recognised during the event, including Dr Sajid Tarar and American Muslim civil rights advocate Zainab Chaudhry. Chaudhry also addressed the gathering.

The Journalism Excellence Awards recognised the work of Faqir Naqvi, Raja Zahid Khanzada, Aziz Ahmed, Uzma Gul, Zeeshan Tahir, Umar Farooq Jan, Asadullah Khalid, Fazal Khaliq, Muhammad Farrukh, Faheem Mian, Moaz Asad Siddiqui, Qazi Naveed, Madiha Masood and Saqib-ul-Islam.