- Masood Khan served as chief envoy in Washington for two years.
- Horst says Pakistan-US ties expanded during Khan's tenure at the embassy.
- Both nations have “a framework to talk about friction” thanks to Khan.
WASHINGTON: US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst on Friday praised Masood Khan, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, for his services in building “bridges between Islamabad and Washington.”
“On behalf of the State Department, I just want to point out that the U.S.-Pakistan relationship is in the best place it's been in years, in part, in large part, because of what Ambassador Masood Khan has done to represent Pakistan, to build bridges between Islamabad and Washington,” Horst said at a farewell dinner.
The event was organized to honor Khan's services with the presence of officials from the State Department and the Department of Defense.
On behalf of the State Department, the US official acknowledged that ties between the two countries, like any long-standing relationship, have experienced friction at times, but “thanks to you, we know how we can talk about this and we have a framework to talk about.” about friction,” he added.
After serving two years as Pakistan's top representative to the United States starting in February 2022, Khan will leave one of the most coveted diplomatic posts next week on Monday with his deputy to take on envoy duties following his departure from Washington.
The experienced diplomat was nominated for the position by then Prime Minister Imran Khan in November 2021.
Additional Foreign Secretary (Middle East and SIFC), Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has been appointed envoy to the United States.
In her praise of Khan and his role in strengthening ties between Pakistan and the United States, the State Department official said both countries have achieved a stability and expansion of the relationship that they have not seen in many years.
“We have opened new dialogues. We have looked for new areas of trade,” he said, adding that both countries have looked for ways to cooperate on issues such as health, energy and climate, things we have not talked about for a long time.
“And all of this is because you, Masood, have been an extraordinary representative of the Pakistani people and government. You have been a person of integrity, you have brought creativity and hospitality.
“You've used your dining room table for delicious lunches for everyone in the United States government, as well as for the Capitol. You've been incredibly effective. And we now have this relationship because of the efforts you've made.”
Horst, appreciating the ambassador's contributions, told Khan that as he leaves, the relationship between Pakistan and the United States is better than when he arrived and “as strong as it has been in a long time.”
“I think we're all going to benefit from the two years you've been here. I want to thank you personally and from the State Department,” he concluded.
