Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stated that Pakistan and the United States are transitioning from a traditional diplomatic partnership to a broader relationship centered on people-to-people links, education, investment, and shared economic opportunities. He made these remarks while addressing a ceremony marking the 250th Independence Anniversary of the United States in Islamabad.
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
The prime minister noted that the foundation of Pakistan-US relations has expanded over decades, now resting not only on security cooperation but increasingly on trade, innovation, and human connectivity. He highlighted cooperation in diverse fields including security, counterterrorism, trade, investment, agriculture, science, education, health, energy, and people-to-people exchanges.
Recalling that the United States was among the first countries to recognize Pakistan after its independence, Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that then US President Harry Truman sent a congratulatory message to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He also acknowledged American support for Pakistan's development, including the Green Revolution, construction of Tarbela Dam, establishment of educational institutions, and financing critical infrastructure projects.
Role of Pakistani Diaspora and American Companies
The prime minister appreciated the contributions of thousands of Pakistani graduates from US universities and professionals trained in the United States, who are bolstering Pakistan's economy, academia, public service, and entrepreneurship. He noted that nearly one million Pakistani-Americans serve as a strong bridge between the two nations, while around 80 leading American companies have invested in Pakistan, reflecting growing economic cooperation. Pakistan is well-positioned to expand its information technology exports, with the US remaining a key market.
Regional and Global Cooperation
Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged cooperation during significant historical periods, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the global campaign against terrorism. He expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his role in promoting peace and stability in South Asia, stating, "We shall forever remain grateful to President Trump for restoring peace in South Asia and saving millions of people. In this context, he will always be remembered as a man of peace."
The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan's role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran, appreciating the trust placed in Pakistan by both countries. He commended the efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in advancing regional peace and stability. Additionally, he praised US envoy Natalie Baker and the US diplomatic mission for their efforts in strengthening bilateral relations.
US Chargé d’Affaires Remarks
In her welcome address, Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker reflected on the profound significance of the Declaration of Independence and the transformation of the US-Pakistan relationship over the past two years. She credited President Donald Trump's leadership with elevating the relationship to a genuine strategic partnership grounded in mutual respect and aligned interests. Baker also paid tribute to Islamabad's role as the venue for the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 revolution, stating, "Pakistan – by having good ties with both Tehran and Washington – was uniquely positioned to bring two adversaries together... It was Pakistan’s moment, and Pakistan rose to it."
FBR Reforms and Tax Automation
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for a modern and automated tax management system to promote transparency and public confidence. Chairing a meeting on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) reforms, he stressed minimizing human intervention and discretionary powers in tax collection. He directed that a pilot project for automated income tax collection be launched from Islamabad. The meeting was briefed on a new tax system capable of identifying under-reported income and assets through data on properties, vehicles, and banks.
Meeting with Saudi Business Delegation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met a high-powered Saudi business delegation led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council. He expressed Pakistan's keenness to elevate economic ties with Saudi Arabia into a mutually beneficial partnership. He welcomed Saudi investments in diverse sectors, suggesting agriculture and food security as priority areas. The prime minister recalled the delegation's previous visit in October 2025 and hoped for signing MoUs and agreements.
Prince Mansour thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and expressed the Saudi government and business community's desire to enhance B2B engagement in areas such as ports, highways, airport outsourcing, energy, power distribution, and IT. The delegation will hold meetings with key government and private sector partners to boost Saudi investments in Pakistan.
