Rizwan Sheikh takes charge as Pakistan’s Envoy to US, highlights top priorities

WASHINGTON DC: Pakistan’s newly appointed ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, was warmly received by top American diplomats during a traditional US Department of State ceremony in Washington.

The event, held almost a week after Sheikh assumed his new role, marked the presentation of his credentials.

Sheikh expressed his commitment to strengthening Pak-US bilateral ties, emphasizing the need for increased high-level interactions, economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.

The ceremony was attended by prominent US diplomats, including Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst.

Upon assuming his new role, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh outlined his key objectives in a statement released by the Pakistani embassy in Washington. His primary focus will be on fostering comprehensive Pakistan-US relations, with an emphasis on enhancing economic cooperation and promoting people-to-people ties.

Additionally, Sheikh aims to improve services for the Pakistani diaspora in the United States.

Rizwan Sheikh’s previous experiences

Rizwan Saeed Sheikh brings over two decades of expertise in multilateral diplomacy to his role. His most recent position was as Additional Foreign Secretary for the Middle East, where he oversaw the Special Investment Facilitation Council cell.

This cell was established to attract foreign investment, particularly from Gulf countries, to Pakistan.

Sheikh’s diverse experience also includes serving as a member of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission and as the spokesman for the OIC Secretary General. His extensive background in diplomacy and international relations will inform his work as Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States.

Moreover, he has worked alongside former ambassadors Jalil Abbas Jilani, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Asad Majeed Khan, and Ali Jahangir Siddiqui.

Sheikh succeeds Ambassador Masood Khan, whose contract had been extended for three months beyond its initial March expiration. Khan vacated the office in July, paving the way for Sheikh’s appointment as the new Pakistani ambassador to the US.