Islamabad, February 14,2026: Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State John Mark Pommersheim concluded a five-day visit to Pakistan, marking the continued close cooperation between the United States and Pakistan. DAS Pommersheim’s visit comes at a significant moment as both countries seek to deepen cooperation on economic growth and shared security interests. Under President Trump’s vision, the United States is forging new partnerships, championing innovation, and defining a new era of diplomacy that will carry us forward for the next 250 years.
During his visit, DAS Pommersheim met with Director General of Military Operations Major General Kashif Abdullah, Director General of Military Intelligence Major General Wajid Aziz Khan, Minister of IT and Telecommunications Shaza Khawaja, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik. He also engaged with business leaders and alumni of U.S. exchange programs.
In Islamabad, DAS Pommersheim attended the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week, where he supported U.S. interests in expanding partnerships in Pakistan’s IT and digital sectors and advocated for a level playing field for U.S. firms. DAS Pommersheim’s discussions with Pakistani officials underscored the importance of expanding trade and investment, including the AI, IT, energy, and critical minerals and mining sectors.
DAS Pommersheim recognized Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms efforts under the IMF program and encouraged officials to implement policies that foster a fair investment environment. He welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to implement reforms that enable private sector-led growth.
In Lahore, DAS Pommersheim attended Basant celebrations, experiencing Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage firsthand. He met Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to discuss U.S. business engagement with Punjab and promote Pakistani investment in the United States. He also visited the U.S. Educational Foundation in Pakistan’s new building, which opened in December 2025, where he met U.S. exchange program alumni.
