John Mark Pommersheim Concludes Five-Day Visit to Pakistan

Islamabad: U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for South and Central Asian Affairs at the United States Department of State, John Mark Pommersheim, has concluded a five-day visit to Pakistan, reaffirming continued cooperation between the two countries on economic growth and shared security interests.

The visit comes at a time when both nations are seeking to deepen engagement in trade, technology and regional stability. U.S. officials described the visit as part of broader efforts to expand partnerships, promote innovation and advance diplomatic cooperation under President Donald Trump’s foreign policy vision.
During his stay, DAS Pommersheim held meetings with Director General of Military Operations Major General Kashif Abdullah, Director General of Military Intelligence Major General Wajid Aziz Khan, Minister for IT and Telecommunications Shaza Fatima 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, the Deputy Assistant Secretary attended the launch of Pakistan’s Indus AI Week, where he underscored U.S. interest in expanding partnerships in Pakistan’s IT and digital sectors and advocated for a level playing field for American firms. Discussions with Pakistani officials focused on expanding trade and investment in artificial intelligence, information technology, energy, critical minerals and mining.
Pommersheim acknowledged Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform efforts under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and encouraged continued implementation of policies aimed at ensuring a fair and transparent investment climate. He welcomed steps designed to enable private sector-led economic growth.
During his visit to Lahore, he attended Basant celebrations, experiencing Pakistan’s cultural heritage firsthand. He met Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to discuss U.S. business engagement in Punjab and promote Pakistani investment in the United States. He also visited the new building of the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan, inaugurated in December 2025, where he met alumni of U.S. exchange programs.
The visit reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between Washington and Islamabad aimed at strengthening economic, technological and security cooperation.