F.P. Report
CHICAGO: Expressing grief and sorrow over the widespread devastation, including loss of precious lives and damage to crops, cattle and infrastructure in Pakistan, State Department’s Counselor Derek Chollet, who is senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State, has said that United States was standing with Pakistan at this difficult hour.
In his tweet after telephonic call with Ambassador Masood Khan, US Under Secretary Derek Chollet stated that he was “deeply saddened by lives lost and severe humanitarian impacts in Pakistan due to recent flood.
We stand with Pakistan.” Ambassador Masood Khan thanked Derek Chollet for expressing solidarity with the flood victims. Matters related to Pak-US bilateral relations with special focus on promoting trade and investment ties and people to people exchanges came under discussion during the conversation.
Situation in neighboring Afghanistan was also discussed. Ranking Member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Jim Risch also expressed his sympathies with the flood victims.
In his tweet, Senator Risch said, “My thoughts are with Pakistan as it contends with deadly and devastating flooding. Vicki and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all those affected by this disaster.” Ambassador Masood Khan expressed his gratitude to Senator Risch for his message of sympathy with the people of Pakistan as they deal with devastating floods.
Other US leaders including Senator Ted Cruz and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee have also expressed their sympathies with the flood victims.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also wrote to President Joseph R. Biden requesting immediate provision of assistance including material, equipment and technical assistance to support efforts to bring relief to the hardest hit areas of the country.
Pak Ambassador to the United States is visiting Michigan, New York and Chicago where he is meeting US leadership, businessmen and Pak-American community to solicit their support for the flood victims in Pakistan.
The Ambassador has also written letters to US Senators and Congressmen sensitizing them about the widespread devastation caused by the floods and seeking their support for relief, rescue and recovery operations.
In New York, the Ambassador participated in a fundraiser organized by Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) and called upon them not only to donate generously but also to use their influence and reach out to the US leadership and Pak-American community in securing support for the victims of unprecedented flood.
Masood Khan also participated in Pakistan Independence day Parade held in New York where he made an impassioned appeal to Pakistani American community for helping their Pakistani brethren who were left to the mercy of nature by the recent floods. Mayor New York Eric Adams speaking on the occasion expressed his deep sympathies with the flood victims.
“We should keep in mind those families in Pakistan right now who are experiencing devastation of the flooding”, stated Mayor New York in his address to the Parade. In Chicago, the Ambassador met President and CEO of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Jack Levin and apprised him of the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan. Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest trade bodies of the United States.
The Ambassador highlighted education, agriculture, health and most importantly tech sector, as game changer, where there existed huge opportunities the business community of the two countries to forge win-win partnership.
Ambassador Masood Khan also met members of Pak-American community in Chicago and urged them to step forward and help their brothers and sisters who were undergoing the trauma of devastation and needed immediate attention in meeting their basic needs including food, shelter and medical care.
During his meeting with Mayor Glendale Heights and the local leadership, the Ambassador called upon them to mobilize Pakistani American community for helping the flood victims.
“Pak-American community has not only been making huge contributions towards strengthening Pak-US ties but has always been at the forefront in responding to any call for help from Pakistan. We count on your support at this difficult hour”, said Ambassador Masood Khan during his meeting with the members of Pak-American community in Chicago.
