John Bass, the United States acting under secretary of state for political affairs, is currently visiting Pakistan to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation on economic and security issues. During his visit, Bass has engaged in high-level meetings with Pakistani officials, focusing on key areas such as counterterrorism, violent extremism, and regional stability.
State Department’s Spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the media on Monday, highlighting the purpose of Bass’s visit. Miller stated that the under secretary’s meetings in Islamabad covered various topics including countering terrorism and violent extremism, fostering regional stability, and enhancing economic ties between the two nations. Miller expressed the under secretary’s gratitude for Pakistan’s cooperation in facilitating the resettlement of Afghans to the United States, underscoring the ongoing partnership between the two countries.
Bass’s visit comes shortly after Washington announced sanctions against five entities and one individual involved in the proliferation of ballistic missiles and controlled missile equipment to Pakistan. According to Miller, the Beijing Research Institute of Automation for Machine Building Industry had collaborated with Pakistan to procure equipment for testing rocket motors for the Shaheen-3 and Ababeel systems, as well as potentially larger systems.
In addition, the US imposed sanctions in October 2023 on three China-based companies—Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co, Universal Enterprise, and Xi’an Longde Technology Development Co—alongside Pakistan-based Innovative Equipment and a Chinese national, for transferring missile technology-related equipment to Pakistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement detailing Bass’s courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. During their meeting, they discussed the current state of Pakistan-US bilateral relations and ongoing collaborative projects. Dar emphasized the importance of positive and productive engagement between the two countries.
Bass also held delegation-level talks with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, discussing a wide range of topics covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. This included progress on dialogue mechanisms in areas such as trade, energy, security, health, climate change, and counter-terrorism. The foreign secretary highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to its relationship with the US and the need to upgrade bilateral mechanisms, particularly in the economic and defense sectors, to build a broad-based and meaningful relationship.
Under Secretary Bass expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to engage substantively on mutual interests. He conveyed the US’s desire to partner with Pakistan in efforts to strengthen and stabilize its economy. Bass also commended Pakistan’s resilience in the face of recent challenges, including floods and terrorist attacks, indicating a shared commitment to overcoming these issues through continued cooperation.
The visit of John Bass underscores the ongoing efforts by both nations to address shared concerns and enhance bilateral relations, particularly in the realms of security and economic stability. The discussions held during this visit are expected to pave the way for further collaboration and strengthened ties between the United States and Pakistan.
