KARACHI: Scene was set, not far from the Mangrove Forests, on Mai Kolachi Road where US Ambassador H. E. Paul W. Jones and Consul General Robert Silberstein welcomed guests from all over Sindh and Balochistan.
Event was the 244th anniversary of American Independence (celebrated early here in order to take advantage of pleasant weather and cool breeze from the Arabian Sea).
Speaking on the occasion Consul General Robert Silberstein said: “It gives me great happiness and pleasure to welcome you all.
“I’d especially like to thank our guests. All of you distinguished guests and friends, especially Governor Imran Ismail and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. It’s a real honor and pleasure having you both here today, thank you so much. (Can we please get them a round of applause for being here.)
“So the theme of our event tonight is celebrating Classic New Orleans. Altogether appropriate! Given the similarities between Karachi and New Orleans. Even though I’m a New Yorker! Tonight we’re going to give homage and praise to New Orleans because, like Karachi, New Orleans stands near the mouth of our nations’ great river and both of our cities are linked by water to the vast expanses of their countries.
“Both Karachi and New Orleans are major port cities and they provide a door to international trade and investment. Both have an outward facing world view that sparks new ideas. Both are cities of art, music and world- famous cuisine. Most importantly, both are rich ethnic and linguistic melting-pots. They represent the diversity and complexity along with the beauty of our nations.
“Karachi and New Orleans are both important cities because they stand for the unique nature of their larger societies. It gives me great pleasure and honor to introduce Ambassador Paul Jones who I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with as a colleague for I think at least a decade maybe two who has served here as US Charge d’ Affairs Pakistan since 2018. Previously he has also served as US Ambassador to Malaysia and to Poland and many other diplomatic positions throughout his entire career.
“So happy independence day in advance to the United States. Thank you all in for joining us to celebrate this great occasion. Shukriya aur Allah Hafiz!”
H.E. Ambassador Paul W. Jones, addressing the ladies and gentlemen in the audience, stated: “Thank you so much Rob and it’s great to be back here in Karachi especially with all of you. We enjoyed a particularly fantastic Independence Day celebration last year…
“Lets take advantage of this lovely weather and I have been here several times. Karachi always gives me the feeling, like Rob, of being back in new York. It’s alive here, it’s a real vibrant city a lot like new Orleans, I think a lot of you might have visited new Orleans. I highly recommend it. You must go, there are some similarities.
“I want to add my great thanks to the honorable Governor Imran Ismail and the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah who (are great friends and) could grace the presence at this ceremony today. I’d also like to welcome Rear Admiral Commander Karachi (COMKAR) Pakistan Navy.
“And also to add to our recognition of our 33 wonderful American companies and Pakistani partners who have sponsored this evening. Their investments are really critical to Pakistan’s growth, they improve the livelihood of millions of Pakistanis.
“I would also like to acknowledge the involvement of the American Business Council led now by President Adnan Asad and a terrific executive board. We’re building a better business climate in Pakistan and closer commercial ties between our countries.
“I have just one piece of simple good news to share this evening. The relationship between our countries is growing step-by-step. In a way that is strengthening and increasing the prosperity of our peoples. I have felt it grow in the 18 months that I have been here in Pakistan representing the US and I hope you have too.
“Our presidents have met three times, spoken several more times by telephone. Our partnership to bring peace to Afghanistan is now beginning to yield results. We still have a long way to go. The outcome is not certain but we are still going to proceed to further our interests along with our allies’ interests for there to be peace and stability.
“Bilaterally, Pakistan is the 2nd largest recipient in the world of military education and training programs funded by the US. And last June we brought the first US Navy ship to Karachi in nine years. And we’re planning to bring another one this year.
“Stronger economic growth in Pakistan that will provide more good jobs to Pakistanis depends in large part on its ability to export and its ability to attract foreign investment. The US-Pakistani trade partnership is delivering on these great needs. The US buys more of Pakistan’s exports than any other country in the world and Pakistan hit a new record to the US in 2019 of four billion dollars.
“The US is also Pakistan’s leading long term investor because no other country has been in the top five of the investor’s in Pakistan for 19 of the last 20 years. And US’s world-class companies have pledged 1.5 billion dollars in new investments here to Pakistan over the last 18 months.
“Now we want to bring this very productive trading relationship to the new heights. Our leaders are demanding and we’ll succeed at that through our growth and partnerships in clean modern energy, in training Pakistan’s immense human resources and improving the business climate for all countries to easily invest and trade here.
“We are in short…partners for prosperity and as we celebrate the 244th anniversary of American Independence a bit early here in Karachi.
“I can report to you that … US Pakistani relationship is strong and growing stronger. We’re not looking for dramatic highs and lows but to build our political security and economic ties into a solid unwavering foundation that grants peace and prosperity to our peoples.
“We recognize the hard work this worthy goal requires and we won’t rest until we succeed. So as we celebrate this evening, let us re-dedicate ourselves to realizing the potential we know is inside us. Thank you so much for joining us this evening. Bohat Shukriya!”
Addresses by Governor Imran Ismail and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were followed by cake cutting ceremony.
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KARACHI: Ambassador of USA H. E. Paul Jones and Consul General Robert Silberstein hosted a reception at the diplomatic post here on Tuesday (18th of Feb, 2020) to celebrate the 244th anniversary of American Independence. Snap shows Jeremy Dear (Deputy General Secretary, International Federation of Journalists – IFJ), G. M. Jamali (President, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists – PFUJ) and M. M. Alam (Editor, Newspakistan.tv) with the hosts.
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Relevant pieces published earlier:
Newspakistan.tv
