About the Author: Robert Raines serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The United States and Pakistan reviewed progress on ongoing energy programs and recommitted themselves to pursuing practical solutions to Pakistan’s energy needs during the latest Pakistan-United States Energy Dialogue this week. Ambassador Carlos Pascual, U.S. Department of State Special Envoy for International Energy Affairs, joined Pakistani Minister of Water and Power Naveed Qamar to reaffirm the partnership. They met September 14-15 in Islamabad.

“As all Pakistanis know, reliable and affordable energy is critical to Pakistan’s prosperity. Without it, businesses can’t operate and families can’t light and cool their homes. Pakistan’s future depends on power,” Ambassador Pascual said at the opening of the Dialogue. “There are no quick fixes to this crisis, but the United States and international partners are willing to help. We will continue to support Pakistan in… more »

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker released a statement today on the September 13 attacks in Kabul. Ambassador Crocker said:

“Yesterday was a long and difficult day for the U.S. Embassy, for ISAF and for the residents of Kabul. We witnessed both cowardly attacks by an increasingly desperate insurgency, as well as instances of enormous courage and dedication on the part of ISAF troops and especially the Afghan National Security Forces. It was Afghan police and soldiers who bravely ended the attack on the embassy and stopped further strikes on Kabul Airport, two police stations, and a local high school. We mourn the Afghan civilians and the brave troops and security forces killed in these actions, and wish a full recovery to the wounded, which include Afghan civilians and… more »

About the Author: Robert Raines serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The United States and Pakistan are working together to fight foot and mouth disease, which is estimated to cause $82 million in economic damage to rural Pakistani families every year. The United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of Pakistan, is supporting this effort with a comprehensive $9 million dollar program to provide training and equipment to researchers, veterinarians, and epidemiologists throughout Pakistan.

“Foot and mouth disease causes significant damage to the Pakistani livestock population and to the farmers who depend on them for their livelihood,” said David Wolf, Senior Agriculture Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. “This training will allow Pakistani scientists to use the latest technologies and treatments to fight against this disease all around… more »

About the Author: Alberto Rodriguez serves as Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ambassador Cameron Munter joined officials and residents of communities in FATA and Malakand today to mark the completion of a U.S. program to improve education in Northwest Pakistan. The event celebrated the success of the three-year ED-LINKS project which assisted more than 450,000 students in over 700 schools in the region.

“Our shared efforts to improve education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and FATA are a symbol of Pakistani and U.S. friendship. More important, our work will build a better tomorrow for future generations of Pakistanis,” said Ambassador Munter.

Education Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Babak Hussain, U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Director Andrew Sisson, and residents of FATA and Malakand also attended the ceremony. This project was funded by USAID.

“There could be no better way to help Pashtuns… more »

U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker presented his diplomatic credentials to Afghan President Hamid Karzai at a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 24, 2011. Prior to this appointment, Ambassador Crocker served as Dean, Executive Professor, and Edward and Howard Kruse Endowed Chair at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He retired from the Foreign Service in April 2009 after a career of over 37 years. Ryan Crocker served as Ambassador to Iraq (2007-2009) and Ambassador to Pakistan (2004-2007). He has also served as the International Affairs Advisor at the National War College, where he joined the faculty in 2003.

Ambassador Crocker delivered remarks at a swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ambassador Crocker said, “I wanted to take this oath here to stand before… more »