The U.S. Political Counsellor Ms. Shelley Saxen called on the Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at Parliament House, Islamabad, in a meeting that featured a wide-ranging exchange on Pakistan–United States bilateral ties, regional developments and enhanced parliamentary cooperation.
The Senate Chairman stressed that Pakistan’s relationship with the United States remains an important pillar of national foreign policy, describing it as longstanding, broad-based and founded on mutual respect and shared objectives. He welcomed the positive momentum generated by recent high-level engagements between the two countries.
On economic matters the Chairman highlighted the strong trade partnership, noting the United States is among Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a leading destination for Pakistani exports. He pointed to a substantial U.S. investment footprint in Pakistan, with nearly 80 U.S. enterprises operating across the country and providing employment for an estimated 120,000–150,000 people, and invited fresh U.S. investment in priority sectors such as agriculture, information technology, mines and minerals, and energy.
Gilani emphasized Pakistan’s desire to convert momentum into tangible progress through sustained institutional engagement across trade, investment, IT, energy and minerals, as well as health, education and agriculture, underscoring the role of cooperation in creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
On regional peace and stability the Chairman appreciated the role of President Donald Trump and his administration in helping secure a ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India following the April–May 2025 military standoff. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to constructive relations with neighbouring countries while stressing that India’s aggressive posture compels Pakistan to safeguard its strategic and conventional capabilities. Lasting peace, he said, is tied to a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Addressing the humanitarian dimension, Gilani reminded attendees that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for decades and called for renewed global cooperation to find a durable solution to the refugee situation. He also recalled interactions with U.S. leadership from his time as prime minister and earlier as speaker of the National Assembly.
Discussing parliamentary diplomacy Gilani noted that Pakistan–U.S. relations are rooted in democratic ideals and shared aspirations. He referenced a U.S. Congressional delegation visit to Pakistan in April 2025 and expressed the desire to expand parliamentary exchanges. He also briefed the counsellor on last month’s inter-parliamentary speakers’ conference and observed that the theme Peace, Security and development remains highly relevant given the interlinked nature of those objectives.
Both sides highlighted the importance of people-to-people contacts, cultural linkages and educational cooperation. Ms. Shelley Saxen welcomed Pakistan’s perspective and reaffirmed the United States’ interest in deepening bilateral cooperation across political, economic and people-to-people domains, with both sides agreeing to stay engaged to further strengthen Pakistan–U.S. relations in a spirit of partnership and mutual benefit.
