- US Ambassador Donald Blome signs an agreement.
- Assistance approved under the G-20 DSSI.
- Our priority is to redirect critical resources to Pakistan: US Embassy.
ISLAMABAD: The United States has agreed to suspend loans worth $132 million under the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) for Pakistan to help the South Asian countries in their relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts following extreme monsoons and record floods.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has signed the second bilateral agreement in this regard, the US Embassy said on Twitter.
The deal will provide $132 million in US debt relief in Pakistan.
“Our priority is to redirect critical resources to Pakistan,” the US Embassy said in its tweet referring to the historic floods that have affected 33 million people and claimed more than 1,600 lives across Pakistan since the mid-June.
The aid comes a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended a ceremony at the embassy to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Blome reaffirmed the United States’ continued support for Pakistan during the difficult recovery process.
“As the waters recede and the rebuilding just begins, the people of the United States continue to stand with Pakistan. We do what our friends and partners do: support each other when it is most needed,” the Ambassador said.
“While our two democracies have stood firmly together over the years, the rapidly changing world offers a critical opportunity to reframe the U.S.-Pakistan partnership and recognize that our shared goals and mutual ambitions go much further.”
“As I look to the future of U.S.-Pakistan relations, I see many opportunities to advance our shared interests in trade, investment, clean energy, health, security, education and other shared priorities As we look forward to the next 75 years and beyond, I hope you will join me in opening this new door.
The US Ambassador said the people of the United States will continue to stand with Pakistan.
“The strength of the friendship between Pakistan and the United States is demonstrated by more than $66 million in US support for the flood response,” the US envoy added.