KARACHI, September 24, 2026: Speaker Provincial Assembly of Sindh, Syed Awais Qadir Shah has called for further strengthening Pakistan–United States relations through greater trade and investment, educational and cultural exchanges, people-to-people contacts and enhanced cooperation for peace and stability.
He expressed these views while addressing the “Freedom 250” reception as Chief Guest, hosted by U.S. Consul General Karachi Charles Goodman at the U.S. Consulate General Karachi to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The reception was attended by Governor Sindh Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi as Guest of Honour, while Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Shah, Mayor Sukkur Arslan Sheikh, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Syed Ahmed Shah, parliamentarians, senior government officials and members of the diplomatic corps were also present.
In his remarks, U.S. Consul General Charles Goodman highlighted economic and security cooperation between Pakistan and the United States, saying that, in his view, relations between the two countries had become stronger under the leadership of U.S. President Donald Trump. He highlighted U.S. investment in Pakistan, particularly in the FMCG sector, as an important contributor to trade, economic activity and employment opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah congratulated the American people on completing 250 years of independence and highlighted the shared values of freedom, democracy, opportunity and peaceful coexistence.
He said that the United States was known around the world as a land of opportunity, where freedom, determination and hard work provided people with opportunities to turn their dreams into reality.
Drawing a connection between the democratic histories of the United States and Sindh, the Speaker highlighted the historic role of the Sindh Legislative Assembly, which passed a resolution in favour of the establishment of Pakistan on 3rd March 1943. He said that the word freedom carried a special historical meaning in Sindh and that the role played by the Sindh Assembly for creation of Pakistan, remained a source of pride for the people of the province.
The Speaker also referred to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision of freedom, equality and religious tolerance, recalling his historic words:
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship.”
Speaking about Pakistan–U.S. relations, Speaker Awais Qadir Shah said the relationship between the two countries spanned nearly eight decades and had been strengthened not only through government-to-government engagement but also through people-to-people contacts, education, trade, investment, development partnerships and cultural exchanges.
He said the United States remained Pakistan’s largest single-country export market, while the Pakistani-American community was playing an important role as a bridge between the two countries.
Referring to the 2024 U.S. Community Survey, he said that more than half a million people in the United States identified as Pakistani alone.
The Speaker appreciated U.S. cooperation with Pakistan, particularly in education, development, healthcare and other areas, and said that the longstanding partnership between the two countries could be further expanded.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace, Speaker Awais Qadir Shah referred to Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran amid recent developments in the Middle East.
Referring to the Islamabad Talks held in April 2026, he said the engagement was an important example of diplomatic cooperation and Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate dialogue.
The Speaker said, “Pakistan does not seek confrontation. We seek peace.” He stressed that differences could be addressed through dialogue, mutual respect and diplomacy.
He also emphasized the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, saying that Parliaments provide an important platform for dialogue, mutual understanding and finding common ground.
Speaker Syed Awais Qadir Shah called for greater trade and investment between Pakistan and the United States, expanded educational and cultural exchanges, and more opportunities for young people in both countries. He said that Sindh, particularly Karachi, offered significant opportunities for stronger engagement with American businesses and institutions.
Among the members of the diplomatic corps attending the reception were British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi Alison Blackburne and Consul General of the Sultanate of Oman in Karachi Engr. Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari, along with other diplomatic representatives.
In his concluding remarks, the Speaker said that the 250th anniversary of American independence was also an opportunity to look towards the future of Pakistan–U.S. relations.
He said, “From Karachi to New York, from Islamabad to Washington, we celebrate a friendship that has endured through changing times.”
Speaker Awais Qadir Shah congratulated the American people on the historic milestone and expressed hope that Pakistan–U.S. relations would continue to grow stronger on the basis of mutual respect, opportunity, dialogue and peace.
