Washington, D.C.-Today, Congressmen Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Jack Bergman (R-MI), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Pakistan Caucus, hosted a policy symposium titled "U.S. and Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future" in the United States Capitol. The event convened more than 200 policymakers, scholars, and community leaders to examine the evolving relationship between the United States and Pakistan.

The event featured prominent participantsincluding Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, and Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Natalie Baker of U.S. Embassy Islamabad.

(L-R): Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Congressman Jack Bergman, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur

Right Photo (L-R): Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Natalie Baker, Congressman Tom Suozzi, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh

"At a time when our country and our world feel increasingly divided, it's more important than ever to strengthen our relationships with key partners like Pakistan," said Congressman Suozzi. "The relationship between the United States and Pakistan has been complex, but it is also filled with opportunity, especially when we focus on shared interests like security, economic growth, and human dignity."

"When we think about Pakistan, one of the central challenges - and opportunities - is bringing together diverse populations to thrive in urban, suburban, and broader societal settings. That kind of unity doesn't happen by chance. It starts with conversation. It starts with a shared belief that progress is possible when people come together, exchange ideas openly, and engage respectfully - even, and especially, when there are disagreements. Disagreements are inevitable. What matters is how we handle them - how we approach them with respect, listen with intent, and work toward common ground," said Congressman Bergman. "That's how meaningful, lasting progress is made. Through the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Representative Suozzi and I are committed to building strong relationships with people from different governments, backgrounds, and perspectives. We strive to lead by example: two individuals from different parties, working side by side, demonstrating that collaboration and mutual respect can rise above division in pursuit of the common good."

"Pakistan's relationship is certainly one of the most important and consequential relationships reflected in multiple successful partnerships that unfolded over the past almost eight decades," said Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. "This relationship has existed since Pakistan's inception and has survived multiple tests of times…Each time we have come together, it has been consequential beyond the bilateral domain and has actually benefited the whole wide world."

"We want to ensure the goodwill and high-level attention in the U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relationship translate into concrete benefits for the American and Pakistani people," said Assistant Secretary of State Dr. Paul Kapur.

The conference opened with a historical overview of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and went on to feature two panel discussions titled "Examining the Current Relationship: Security," and "Shaping the Future Relationship: Economic." Experts engaged in meaningful dialogue related to security and stability, Pakistan's dynamics with India and China, and expanding economic ties.

During the event, Congressmen Suozzi and Bergman presented a Congressional Certificate to Mike Brickley and Rubina Bhatti of 'Families Set Free' in recognition of their work liberating families stuck for generations in bonded labor.

"This conference is about learning from the past, understanding where we are today, and charting a smarter, more cooperative path forward between our two countries," concluded Congressman Suozzi. "Democrats and Republicans, Americans and Pakistanis, must all come together to build a stronger, safer, more prosperous future."

"US-Pakistan relations have had a tumultuous history. Today the partnership is in a good place, but it can still stand to improve-particularly in terms of making it more sustainable over the longer term. Today's symposium offered a range of useful insights focused on helping move the needle forward," said Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow of South Asia at the Atlantic Council.

"If America wants good partners, it should have good policies. And the criterion of a good policy should not simply be that it looks good in Washington," said Touqir Hussain, Former Ambassador and Professor in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

"Pakistan is in the global spotlight and enjoys a renewed relationship with Washington. To make the most of this opportunity, it should focus on the difficult work of building sustainable security with its neighbors to unlock a more stable and prosperous future," said Elizabeth Threlkeld, Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center.

"The TTP (Pakistani Taliban) is a dangerous and deadly organization that threatens the Pakistani state and regional stability. The United States has a strong interest in ensuring Pakistan remains a stable country free from terrorism and therefore must support Pakistan's right to defend itself from TTP attacks," said Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

"There is significant scope for U.S. support to strengthen Pakistan's civilian law enforcement capacity. In a country confronting terrorism, organized crime, and cross-border threats, investing in police reform also strengthens the broader criminal justice system, rule of law, and the daily security of ordinary citizens enhancing people to people ties," said Hassan Abbas, Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia Strategic Studies Center, National Defense University.

"Across the economy, there has been a real push toward digitization, improving transparency and connectivity. And underpinning all of this, is a set of difficult macroeconomic adjustments has left the system more resilient and better able to absorb external shocks. However the recent conflict in the Middle East does create additional and significant challenges. In practical terms, a clearer industrial policy is needed, one that directs capital toward sectors that produce, export, and generate foreign exchange, while steadily lowering the cost of doing business in those areas," said Sofyan Yusufi, Senior Advisor at the Atlantic Council, South Asia Center.

"The U.S. Chamber thanks the Congressional Pakistan Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressman Suozzi and Congressman Bergman, for convening today's symposium. Renewed engagement between the U.S. and Pakistan has opened more opportunities for private sector investment in various sectors. The U.S. business community is eager to work with both the U.S. and Pakistan governments to resolve bilateral trade irritants and strengthen the regulatory and policy environment in Pakistan," said Esperanza Jelalian, Vice President, Asia and President of the U.S. Chamber's U.S.-Pakistan Business Council.

"Enacting the structural reforms required to attract foreign investment and ensure sustained economic growth requires political will," said Robin Raphael, former Diplomat, Ambassador, and expert in South Asian affairs.

"Foreign investment is the objective, not the strategy; true strategy lies in a nation's ability to align its priorities with global commercial standards, while building investor trust," said Dr. Jo Chitlik of Emory University School of Law.

For any member of the press interested in speaking with Congressman Suozzi regarding the "U.S. and Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future," symposium, Congressman Suozzi will be hosting a press availability in the coming days. Please contact Julia Prager-Hessel at [email protected]for more information.

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