U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson went to Muzaffarabad to lay limelight on the United States’ support for bilateral trade opportunities, educational exchange, and development programs in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Ambassador Olson’s visit, his first to the city, provided a chance to reconnect with the government leadership of AJK and to meet with local residents. “Today’s visit is an important opportunity for me to see the enduring partnership of the United States with the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” Olson said.
Ambassador Olson met with AJK President Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, along with a delegation of senior officials of the AJK government. He talked about investment and trade opportunities in a meeting held with Chamber of Commerce leaders and entrepreneurs from the AJK region. “The United States is the largest export market and one of the largest sources of foreign investment for Pakistan,” said Olson. “We want to see this continue to grow, including right here in the AJK region.”
Together with AJK’s President, Olson decided to establish a new building that will house the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faculty of Education at the Muzaffarabad old city campus. “This state-of-the-art building – which will include eight classrooms, a computer lab, a teaching lab, library, and multipurpose hall – will accommodate approximately 300 students. We believe that a world-class learning facility will help attract the best and brightest students to pursue careers as teachers.”
Ambassador Olson became a part of thirty English Access Microscholarship Program students, ages 14-16, for celebration of the World Intellectual Property Rights Day at the Lincoln Corner at University of AJK in Muzaffarabad. In the event, organized by READ Foundation, Access students demonstrated and explained their creative work to the Ambassador, spoke about the importance of intellectual property protection, and presented a signed and bound copy of their written work to him.
Olson focused on U.S. support for commitment to women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship in Pakistan during his visit to an exhibition of handicrafts made by women participating in programs braced by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Ministry of Social Welfare and Women’s Development.
Ambassador Olson also visited Muzaffarabad’s Red Fort, Rutta Qilla, an important cultural and historical site in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
