ISLAMABAD: Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for South and Central Asian Affairs at the US, John Mark Pommersheim, has wrapped up a five-day visit to Pakistan, aimed at deepening cooperation on economic growth and shared security interests.
“Under President Trump’s vision, the United States is forging new partnerships, championing innovation, and defining a new era of diplomacy that will carry us forward for the next 250 years, the US Embassy said in a statement on Saturday.
During his visit, Mark Pommersheim held extensive meetings with senior Pakistani civilian and military leadership, focusing on bolstering bilateral ties in trade, technology, and security.
On the military side, Pommersheim met with Director General of Military Operations Major General Kashif Abdullah and Director General of Military Intelligence Major General Wajid Aziz Khan.
His civilian engagements included talks with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Khawaja, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik.
Beyond government circles, the US diplomat also connected with business leaders and alumni of American exchange programs, reinforcing people-to-people ties.
A key highlight of the itinerary was his attendance at the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week in Islamabad. There, he voiced US interests in expanding partnerships in Pakistan’s IT and digital sectors while advocating for a level playing field for American firms operating in the country.
“DAS Pommersheim recognised Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform efforts under the IMF programme and encouraged officials to implement policies that foster a fair investment environment. He welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to implement reforms that enable private sector-led growth,” the statement said.
During his stay in Pakistan, he also visited the US Educational Foundation in Pakistan’s new building, which opened in December 2025, where he met US exchange programme alumni.
In recent months, US officials have pointed to Pakistan’s potential role in regional stability and its capacity to contribute to economic and energy initiatives in South and Central Asia.
The Trump administration has also encouraged American firms to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s infrastructure, minerals, and technology sectors.
In September, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met US President Donald Trump at the White House’s Oval Office. During the meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interest as well as regional and global developments.
Pakistan and the US also share a longstanding partnership in counter-terrorism, built on intelligence sharing, joint operations, and regional security cooperation.
