KARACHI: The US investments in Pakistan have experienced a remarkable 50% growth in the last year, emphasizing the deepening economic relationship between the two countries.
This was said by the United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome while addressing the closing ceremony of a $350,000 grant from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), aimed at restoring the historic Frere Hall.
Donald Blome said that Washington and Pakistan have fostered a robust partnership over the past seven decades, centered on mutual interests in health, education, energy, economic growth, and security.
He said that the US investments in Pakistan includes initiatives in clean energy and sustainable agriculture through the US-Pakistan Green Alliance, public health efforts like tuberculosis control, and projects aimed at enhancing cultural heritage and people-to-people connections, as outlined in a recent press release.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Blome remarked, “It’s rare for one project, a partnership between the US Consulate and the Sindh Exploration and Adventure Society, to encapsulate so much of our collaborative efforts.
He said following the 2002 bombing that damaged both US assets and Frere Hall, we felt a responsibility to restore what was harmed. Today, this iconic space symbolizes our bond—a commitment to cultural heritage, civic engagement, and community empowerment.” The restoration of Frere Hall, which reopened its library and gallery, is one of several AFCP initiatives in Sindh, with similar projects also underway in Balochistan.
To bolster Pakistan’s fight against tuberculosis (TB), Ambassador Blome presented the Government of Sindh with five advanced diagnostic vans and three mobile X-ray machines. These state-of-the-art tools, provided through USAID’s Integrated Health System Strengthening activity, will enhance access to early diagnosis and treatment, particularly for vulnerable populations in remote areas.
Ambassador Blome also visited Nutrilov, a local food processing company benefiting from USAID’s Investment Promotion Activity (IPA), to discuss how US support is fostering entrepreneurship and job creation in Pakistan. The visit highlighted the production of healthy, locally made products, such as cereal and granola bars, which cater to the country’s expanding consumer market.
While in Karachi, Ambassador Blome participated in a luncheon with key human rights advocates to discuss urgent issues like religious freedom and labor rights in Pakistan. Additionally, during a dinner with the American Business Council Executive Committee, he reaffirmed the US Mission’s commitment to supporting American businesses and enhancing US-Pakistan trade relations.
Ambassador Blome’s visit to Karachi underscores the US Government’s long-term investment in Pakistan and its people. “Through partnerships like these, the US and Pakistan are working together to improve lives, strengthen communities, and preserve the rich history and culture that define this great nation,” he stated.
