US Senator Schumer urges increased economic support for Pakistan

By Mohsin Zaheer

US Senator Charles Schumer, the majority leader in the US Senate, recently returned from a visit to Pakistan where he met with cabinet members including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Upon his return, Schumer spoke at a Zoom meeting organized by the American Pakistani Advocacy Group, a representative organization of the Pakistani American community. He emphasized the need for the US to do more to promote relations with Pakistan, including providing financial support to the country.

During the meeting, Schumer highlighted the difficulties that Pakistan has faced including terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and last year’s devastating floods. He called on the US to provide more aid, especially economic aid, to Pakistan. Schumer also instructed the US ambassador to Pakistan to increase services for processing visa applications for Pakistani immigrants and requested that the State Department provide additional resources and staff to the American Embassy in Islamabad.

Schumer also discussed the issue of Kashmir during his visit to Pakistan and asked the State Department to increase monitoring of the situation in the region. He called for the reduction of tension between Pakistan and India, as well as the reduction of their respective forces in the area.

Regarding immigration, Schumer stated that some Republicans are willing to discuss the issue and emphasized that immigration is in America’s own interest. He concluded his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to promoting relations between the US and Pakistan, as well as supporting the Pakistani American community in Washington.