US Ambassador Paul W Jones – who is to leave Pakistan after completing a two-year term in Islamabad – thanked the thousands of Pakistanis, who he had met during his stay in the proudly sovereign country, for warmly welcoming him and his wife Catherine.

In a video message, Jones said they had been hosted by many people at their homes while sharing local cuisine – biryani, spicy karahi and the sweetest mangoes in the world.

https://twitter.com/usembislamabad/status/1298870430489628675 

Describing the local art and culture as extraordinary, the US ambassador said he had even learned the basics of cricket.

“The partnership between ur countries has warmed over the past two years as we worked together on peace in Afghanistan, expanded our already strong trade and investment, and fought [the] coronavirus together,” Jones noted.

“The ties between our peoples, especially in education, exchanges, entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment, are vibrant,” he added.

The US ambassador said more could be done for the two countries and peoples in different fields. “Looking ahead, achieving the aspirations of will essential for peoples of both our countries to live in greater peace, prosperity and happiness.”

He also stressed the need for cherishing the values like human rights, diversity, freedom of media, freedom to practice one’s religion and equal protection to all under the rule of law.