Charge d’Affaires Mohammad Sadiq meets Senator Hillary Clinton

Washington, October 17- Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Mohammad Sadiq, accompanied by Consul General Noor Muhammad Jadmani, held a detailed meeting with Senator Hillary Clinton in Los Angeles on October 16 to discuss issues of mutual interest. Later, Senator Clinton addressed a gathering of Pakistani-Americans. Senator Clinton stated that United States and Pakistan faced several challenges, the most significant of which was the menace of terrorism. She paid rich tributes to the role played by Pakistan in the war against terrorism and added that it was in the interest of the US to maintain a long term relationship with Pakistan.

Senator Clinton recalled her meetings with President Pervez Musharraf particularly during her last visit to Pakistan and stated that “he had made difficult but right choices”. She emphasized the need for extending maximum support to Pakistan at this critical juncture for the social uplift of its population, human resource development and specially for revamping of its educational system.

She also lauded the contribution made by the Agha Khan Foundation for social uplift and improvement of educational opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

The reception was hosted by Mr. Rehman Jinnah, Director Pakistani-American Liaison Center (PAL-C) at his residence in Bel Air.

During his visit to Los Angeles, Mr. Sadiq had a dinner with the leaders of Pakistani-American community in Southern California. The dinner was hosted by the President of Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA), Dr. Hamid Malik. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sadiq reiterated that the Embassy of Pakistan would continue to work for the welfare of the Pakistani community in the US. He lauded the role played by the Pakistani Americans in the establishment of Pakistan Caucus in Congress and expressed the hope that the Caucus would go a long way towards projecting a positive image of Pakistan and political empowerment of the Pakistani American community. The community members shared their experiences and thanked the Embassy for vigorously pursuing matters relating to the community. Several prominent Pakistani-Americans including Mr. Parvaiz Lodhi, Dr. Farhat Zubair, Mr. Akhtar M. Faruqui Editor of Pakistan Link, Mr. Waqar Ali Khan, Producer, Safar-e-Pakistan and Mr. Faiz Rehman, Executive Director, PAL-C, attended the dinner meeting.

Mr. Sadiq also met Los Angeles Mayor, Mr. James Hahn.

AAP