Caretaker Federal Minister for Communications, Railways, and Maritime Affairs Shahid Ashraf Tarar has said that US-Pakistan bilateral relations go back a long way and this relationship has evolved from security to other fields such as trade and investment, science and technology, Climate Change and sustainable development and education.

This was stated by him during a meeting with US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome in Islamabad on Friday.

He expressed his profound desire to deepen the relations based on development cooperation.

He affirmed that Pakistan has been benefitting from General Electric Locomotives provided by the US to Pakistan Railways, and based on its vitality, another order has been placed recently.

Shahid Ashraf Tarar said that Karachi-Peshawar Railway line has been affected by floods at certain vulnerable points and US can cooperate with Pakistan Railways to reclaim these vulnerable tracks and secure them from future floods.

He further apprised that Pakistan has entered into successful international agreements in Gwadar and is further attracting foreign investments from global partners.

The US Ambassador said on the occasion that the focus has shifted from Pakistan’s bordering and tribal areas to flood-affected areas of Northern Sindh and South Punjab. Furthermore, possibilities are being explored for provision of clean drinking water and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure in these areas.

Donald Blome expressed that Pakistan has an excellent opportunity to attract foreign investments in the wake of diversification of industries and businesses into South-Asian economies.

He said American International Development Finance Cooperation has expressed its eagerness to make large-scale investments in Pakistan. In this regard, US is ready to help Pakistan create a business-friendly environment to boost investments.