Thanking the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus for organizing the symposium, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, noted Pakistan’s partnership with the United States has not only been “historically important but also very fruitful in terms of regional and global peace and security. The partnership of the two most populous countries in the world is not optional but the most important need of the hour.”
Historic Symposium on US-Pakistan Relations at Capitol Hill
By Elaine Pasquini
Washington, DC: For the first time in the history of the US Congress, the Pakistan Caucus organized a historic symposium on the past, present and future of relations between Pakistan and the United States.
The nearly four-hour session on March 24, 2026, in the US Capitol building was organized by the co-chairs of the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Rep Tom Suozzi (R-NY) and Rep Jack Bergman (R-MI), in collaboration with the Pakistani Embassy.
Thanking the US Congressional Pakistan Caucus for organizing the symposium, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, noted Pakistan’s partnership with the United States has not only been “historically important but also very fruitful in terms of regional and global peace and security. The partnership of the two most populous countries in the world is not optional but the most important need of the hour.”
Due to its unique geographical location, the ambassador pointed out that Pakistan holds an important regional and global position which has contributed to his country playing a leading role in the ongoing war against terrorism along with its numerous contributions to security in the region. “We are ready to play our full role in global peace even today,” he added.
While the element of security cooperation has been dominant in the historical context of Pakistan-US relations, Ambassador Sheikh stressed the importance to both countries of economic corporation. “Pakistan seeks rich and broad-based economic relations with the US,” he said, noting its longtime ally is Pakistan’s largest trade market.
“Equipped with technology, Pakistan’s educated and skilled youth is fully ready to play its important role in meeting the growing needs of the US economy in the context of information technology at the lowest cost and according to the highest standards,” the ambassador enthused.
And importantly, the Pakistani community in the US has been playing the role of the strongest bridge in the bilateral relations of the two countries, he stated.
Addressing the audience, Paul Kapoor, assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, emphasized the “positive developments” in Pak-US relations under President Trump which have promoted a “mutually beneficial partnership in economic sectors, including minerals.”
Natalie Baker, deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Islamabad, also addressed the conference along with think tank members, former ambassadors and experts on security and economic issues.
The successful symposium concluded with an agreement to hold future meetings on Pakistan-United States relations on a regular basis going forward.
(Elaine Pasquini is a freelance journalist. Her reports appear in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs and Nuze.Ink.)
