ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Masood Khan, emphasized the importance of linkages between American and Pakistani academics, educational institutions, and diaspora to forge a solid foundation for long-lasting relations during a meeting with the new President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of America (WACA), Bill Clifford Hughes. The meeting took place on Friday at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, DC.
Ambassador Khan congratulated Hughes on assuming WACA’s presidency and appreciated the role played by the organization and its leadership in promoting programs and educational initiatives for diverse, multi-generational audiences across the United States.
He lauded WACA’s convening power, which provides face-to-face connections and talks with global leaders, policy experts, social innovators, business executives, and distinguished opinion makers.
Hughes briefed the Ambassador regarding WACA’s mission and leading programs. WACA supports over 90 World Affairs Councils across the United States (US) and explores new ideas in dozens of dynamic Council events every week that shape public discourse on national security, the economy and global trade, energy, global health, and the environment, immigration, human rights, education, and culture.
Ambassador briefs WACA president on Pak-US relations
Ambassador Khan briefed Hughes about the current state of Pakistan-United States relations. He highlighted that the two countries are long-standing and historic partners, and the present positive trajectory in the bilateral relations is based on the desire on both sides to expand the relationship, with a particular focus on enhanced cooperation in non-security areas.
He underscored the need to build strong linkages between academics, educational institutions, and the diaspora in Pakistan and the United States. He highlighted the huge potential for WACA’s collaboration and intertwining with similar platforms in Pakistan.
The WACA president expressed his willingness to expand collaboration with counterparts in Pakistan. The WACA president also extended an invitation to the Ambassador for participation in WACA’s national conference in November this year.
The meeting between Ambassador Khan and Hughes signifies Pakistan’s continued efforts to enhance its engagement with the United States through academic and cultural exchange. By fostering linkages between academics and educational institutions, both countries can build stronger people-to-people ties and establish a foundation for long-lasting relations.
