Pak envoy meets influential US lawmaker

Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, recently met with Representative Brian Mast, the new Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington.

The meeting between Rizwan and Mast, who is a US Army veteran hailing from Florida, comes days after he was voted as the head of House Foreign Affairs Committee by the House Republican Steering Committee.

Taking to his social media, the ambassador revealed the details of his meeting with the Congressman and said that the two had an "optimistic discussion" on strengthening bilateral ties between their countries through deeper economic engagement.

In a post on his X account, Rizwan wrote: "Pleased to meet with Rep. Brian Mast @RepBrianMast — an energetic leader — recently selected as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

"We had an optimistic discussion on strengthening bilateral ties through deeper economic engagement. Explored prospects and avenues of furthering Pak-US cooperation and partnership in the evolving global scenario."

"Cooperation is the best way forward," he quoted Mast as saying as the Congressman recognised the "geo-political and geo-economic significance" of Pakistan.

"Wished him all the best every step of the way in this important new role," Rizwan added.

The Pakistani ambassador has met more than seven US lawmakers in recent days, to boost bilateral ties and also enhance investment and trade.