Blome says will work with Islamabad to resolve market access issues
ISLAMABAD
The US ambassador-designate to Pakistan, Donald Armin Blome has said that he will work to decrease tensions between India and Pakistan if confirmed for the position.
Blome, in a testimony before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday, said that Washington and Islamabad would jointly combat all militant outfits, including Al-Qaeda, Daesh-Khorasan, and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
He said the region cannot afford another conflict, especially between nuclear-armed states. “If confirmed, I will work with my colleagues to decrease tensions between India and Pakistan.”
“I have been encouraged by the continued cease-fire along the Line of Control. Strong US bilateral partnerships with India and Pakistan are not mutually exclusive; we need productive ties with both states. Pakistan and India should decide the pace, scope, and character of their bilateral Interactions,” he said.
He said the bilateral relationship with Pakistan remained “extraordinarily consequential” for US core interests, and the US had a shared interest in promoting the role of US business and commercial interests in Pakistan’s economy.
“If confirmed, I will work with Pakistan to resolve market access issues, including concerns with Pakistan’s digital economy regulations, intellectual property protections, and contract enforcement. I will encourage Pakistan to promote more transparent investments through sustainable financing, with a focus on the environmental and social impacts of investment projects.”
Blome said he would press Pakistan to target “all terrorist groups without distinction.” He said the United States and Pakistan are committed to combating Al-Qaeda, Daesh-Khorasan, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. “If confirmed, I also will engage Pakistan in fighting all other groups – including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,” the ambassador said.
Blome also said he would not shy from defending human rights in Pakistan, particularly the freedom of religion and expression.
“Religious minorities in Pakistan have long faced societal and legal discrimination, as well as accusations of blasphemy. These accusations have undermined the rule of law, threatened mob rule, deeply damaged Pakistan’s international reputation, and led to murderous violence and many deaths,” the ambassador said.
“If confirmed, I will speak out against these abuses and violations of human rights and religious freedom. I will urge the Pakistani government to cease harassment of journalists and members of civil society, who have faced kidnappings, assaults, intimidation, and disappearances, and hold perpetrators of these actions accountable. I will advocate for expanded protections for freedom of association and assembly and will meet with civil society partners regularly.”
Blome, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is currently the US Ambassador to Tunisia. He was nominated to the position in Pakistan in October.
