The Future of Pakistan and U.S.-Pakistan Relations

In an age of accelerating great power competition, Pakistan’s political stability and economic recovery are critical to regional security. As Pakistan’s largest export market and one of the country’s top sources of foreign investment and development aid, the United States is well-positioned to help Pakistan achieve economic stability and prosperity. Over the last three years, U.S. companies have invested more than $1.5 billion in Pakistan’s fastest-growing sectors, including consumer goods, agribusiness, financial services, information & communications technology, healthcare, and energy. In 2023, the United States and Pakistan held the first ministerial meetings since 2016 under the U.S.-Pakistan Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA), the primary vehicle to address obstacles to bilateral trade and strengthen commercial ties.

In recent years Pakistan has faced a combination of challenges including devastating flooding, high inflation, heavy external debt, resurgent terrorism, and border tensions with Afghanistan and Iran. Politics in Pakistan have long been contentious. Challenges to the official results of the February 8 election are still being resolved. But regardless of who leads the next government, the country must continue to seek long-term stability and economic viability through structural reforms aimed at increasing the tax base, targeting subsidies to poor, privatizing inefficient state-owned enterprises, depoliticizing and modernizing the civil service, and assuring the independence of the judiciary. To attract FDI the country has committed to investing in human development, ease of doing business regimes, regulatory reforms, and protection of intellectual property.

Please join the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development (PPD) on Tuesday, February 20th from 10:00-11:00 AM EST for a discussion on the future of Pakistan between Masood Khan, Pakistani Ambassador to the United States and Dan Runde, CSIS. Former U.S. Ambassador Robin Raphel will be providing opening remarks. This in-person and livestreamed event will explore the state of U.S.-Pakistani relations, examine current challenges in Pakistan’s commercial landscape, and consider opportunities for deeper U.S.-Pakistan collaboration in trade, investment, diplomacy, and security. Registration is required for all in-person attendees.

This event is made possible through general support to CSIS.
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