U.S. Chargé d’affaires Richard Hoagland Strengthens People-to-People Ties during Lahore Visit

Contact: Lydia Barraza

Press Attaché, U.S. Consulate Lahore(0308-444-0567)

The United States Chargé d’affaires to Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Hoagland, focused on Pakistani youth and culture during his three-day visit to the provincial capital of Lahore.  Accompanied by U.S. Consul General Nina Fite, Ambassador Hoagland visited cultural and historic sites and interacted with young Pakistanis and important figures in Punjab politics.

Ambassador Hoagland began his tour of Lahore with a visit to the Lahore Museum, where Museum Director Humeira Alam briefed him about artifacts in the Jain and Gandhara galleries.  He also visited the Quaid-i-Azam Library where he praised, not only its beautiful building but the vital role the library plays in helping the men, women and children of Pakistan educate themselves.  Although the Chargé d’affaires has visited Lahore several times, this was his first visit to the two cultural sites.  Ambassador Hoagland met Iqbal Hussain and enjoyed the view of Badshahi Mosque from the Walled City.

In an effort to further strengthen ties with Pakistani youth, Ambassador Hoagland hosted a discussion with young Lahoris who are active on social media.  He fielded questions on U.S.-Pakistan relations, how social media impacts politics, and asked the participants about the role of youth in the upcoming Pakistani elections. The lively discussion was featured on Twitter with the hash tag #PakYouthAmb.

During his three days in Lahore, Ambassador Hoagland also met with political party leaders and spoke with the media about U.S. policy in Pakistan and the region.  During interviews, he highlighted the on-going cooperation between the two countries in exterminating terrorism.