California Senate unanimously backs stronger Pakistan-US ties

WASHINGTON: The California State Senate has unanimously passed a resolution celebrating the “enduring relationship” between Pakistan and the United States and recognising the “significant contributions” of Pakistani-Americans to the state’s economy, culture and social fabric.

The resolution, presented by Senator Melissa Hurtado, highlighted the “pivotal role” played by Pakistani-Americans in California and commended their achievements across diverse fields. It also urged all Californians to join in celebrating the friendly relations between the two countries.

The resolution’s language goes beyond a routine recognition of the Pakistani-American community, placing its contributions alongside California’s relationship with Pakistan and calling for broader public recognition of the friendship between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, also visited California during this process and held meetings with state lawmakers to expand political and economic engagement between Pakistan and the state.

The California State Assembly also adopted a resolution supporting stronger relations with Pakistan. It called for promoting the role of Pakistani-American businesses and investors in advancing economic cooperation between Pakistan and California.

Ambassador Sheikh welcomed the Senate resolution and praised Senator Hurtado for her leadership. He said that Pakistan remained committed to “deepening people-to-people ties” and building on what he described as the “current positive trajectory” in Pakistan-US relations.

The ambassador also held talks with Senator Eloise Gomez on expanding trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. Gomez praised Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability, while Sheikh invited her to visit Pakistan.

He later hosted a working lunch for Assembly member Matt Haney and Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva. The discussions covered bilateral cooperation, with the ambassador inviting both lawmakers to visit Pakistan.

The Council of Pakistan, led by Dr Imran Sharief, also played a role in efforts leading to the passage of the Senate resolution.

The California resolutions come at a time when Pakistan is seeking to strengthen economic and political engagement with the United States while expanding ties with individual US states.

For Pakistan, the California initiative is significant not only because of its explicit celebration of the “enduring relationship” between the two countries, but also because it widens the role of the Pakistani-American community in expanding political and economic ties between Pakistan and the United States.