Embassy of the United States

Consulate Highlights

Peshawar, July 12, 2007 – Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate Peshawar, Mike Abel, with the Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) coordinators, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Peshawar staff and YES students, who recently returned from the United States. Six Pakistani High School Students Return From U.S. After Completing A Year of Study The US Consulate’s Public Affairs Officer Michael Abel lauded the six Pakistani high school students for “building new bridges by sharing Pakistani culture with a new generation of Americans,” during their stay in the United States as Youth Exchange and Study (YES) students. He was speaking at a reception, jointly organized by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate and the International Education Resource Network (iEARN), here Thursday to welcome these students who have recently returned after successfully completing a year of study in the U.S. (complete text)

Latest Headlines From the Consulate

U.S. Consulate Peshawar Launches “Landmarks Of New York” Photography Exhibit U.S. Consulate Principal Officer, Lynne Tracy, and NWFP Chief Secretary Sahibzada Riaz Noor, today inaugurated a photo exhibit, “The Landmarks of New York,” at the Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Museum at the University of Peshawar. “We are delighted to bring this exhibition to Peshawar as part of our broad cultural relationship with Pakistan,” stated the senior diplomat. “In the Northwest Frontier Province, we work with partners on a broad range of cultural programs including the restoration of historically significant sites like Gor Khuttree, academic exchanges including the Fulbright Scholarship program, and English learning programs for disadvantaged youth.”(complete text) Visiting Foreign Policy Expert, Dr. Philip Gordon, Speaks At Peshawar Press Club Dr. Philip H. Gordon of the Brookings Institution has observed that “Pakistan's help is of vital significance for the U.S.” to establish peace in war-torn Afghanistan, and “without its support Afghanistan can never be peaceful.” "We are working together to ensure that Al Qaeda and the Taliban are completely flushed out from Pakistan," Dr. Gordon said while delivering a lecture on “Pak-U.S. relations” at the Lincoln Corner in Peshawar University on Saturday. The Brookings Senior Fellow said it was unfortunate that the partners on terror were victims of terror and added that more attention should be focused on the economy as poverty was the root-cause of most problems.(complete text) U.S. Congresswoman Re-opens Government’s Girls’ Middle School In Dadar U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey today reopened the Government Girls’ Middle School Dadar, which was destroyed by the October 8, 2005 earthquake and was rebuilt by USAID. “This school exemplifies the partnership between the United States and the people of Pakistan and their shared commitment to ‘build back better’ in the earthquake-affected areas,” Representative Lowey remarked at the dedication ceremony. Led by Rep. Lowey, seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives attended the dedication, along with John Gastright, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Central and Asian Affairs; Gen. Nadeem, ERRA Deputy Chairman; and other district officials.(complete text) U.S. Congress Provides Communications Equipment To Frontier Corps Congresswoman Nita Lowey and six other members of the United States Congress visiting Peshawar presented new communications equipment to the Frontier Corps, NWFP today. This equipment is part of $15 million worth of new equipment the United States has purchased for the Frontier Corps, NWFP and Balochistan, since 2005. Declaring that development and diplomatic programs are “America’s first line of defense,” U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey expressed the hope that U.S. assistance provided to the Frontier Corps will “continue aiding the Government of Pakistan’s positive development work in the country’s tribal areas.”(complete text) U.S. Funds Renovation Of Family Health Clinic For Afghan Refugees, Local Population The renovated Meelam Family Health Clinic was inaugurated here Friday to serve Afghan refugees as well as Pakistani host community members. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) funded the renovation which was carried out by the NGO Save the Children. Located between the city of Haripur and the nearby Panian and Padhana refugee camps, the previously abandoned government health unit building was donated by the District Nazim of Haripur, Yousaf Ayub Khan. "The United States commends the co-existence and cooperation between refugee villages and the local host community," U.S. Embassy’s Refugee Coordinator Linda R. Hoover said in her remarks on the occasion.(complete text) U.S. Consulate Peshawar Principal Officer, Lynne Tracy, Gives Talk On the History Of Women In The U.S. Foreign Service U.S. Consulate Principal Officer, Lynne Tracy, encouraged female university students to actively pursue their professional dreams and to consider public service as a way to serve their communities and their country. The encouragement came as part of Ms. Tracy’s talk on “A History of Women in the U.S. Foreign Service,” delivered today at Peshawar University’s Lincoln Corner. “American women have made great strides in many fields over the past century, including diplomacy,” stated Ms. Tracy.(complete text) U.S. Ambassador Affirms U.S. Commitment To Security And Development In The NWFP And FATA U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker stressed America’s "long-term commitment to security and development" in the Northwest Frontier Province and the FATA during his farewell visit today in Peshawar. During his visit to Peshawar, Ambassador Crocker met with the Governor of the NWFP, Muhammad Ali Jan Orakzai, Chief Minister of the NWFP, Mohammad Akram Khan Durrani, the 11th Corps Commander, Lieutenant General Hamid Khan, and the Frontier Corps Commandant, Major General Muhammad Alam Khattak. "The United States has a multi-faceted and enduring relationship with Pakistan," Ambassador Crocker stated. "We are strongly committed to helping the people of Pakistan in our mutual fight against terrorism and to ensure that Pakistanis enjoy improved access to education, healthcare, and employment."(complete text) U.S. Ambassador Inaugurates “Democracy Dialogues” Discussion Group U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker today inaugurated U.S. Consulate Peshawar’s third annual university student discussion group. The theme for this year’s discussion group will be "Democracy Dialogues." "President Bush has made the spread of democracy a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy," Ambassador Crocker stated. "President Musharraf has promised that Pakistan will hold free and fair elections this year and the U.S. supports his decision." The "Democracy Dialouges" participants were selected after a rigorous screening process and represent nine Peshawar-area universities and departments.(complete text) U.S. Ambassador And NWFP Governor Open The First “Lincoln Corner” In Pakistan U. S. Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker and Northwest Frontier Province Governor Khalil ur-Rehman opened the first "Lincoln Corner" in Pakistan today at Peshawar University’s Central Library. A "Lincoln Corner" is a resource center offering information on aspects of U.S. culture, economy, politics, society and education. Hosted by Peshawar University, the Corner represents a program partnership between the University and the United States of America. Also in attendance were Vice Chancellor of Peshawar University Haroon Rashid, senior staff members of the University, and other dignitaries. The facility joins 325 such centers now established worldwide, with several more planned for other locations in Pakistan in the near future.(complete text) Thanks To Aid From United States And Japan 400 School Boys In Khyber Start Classes In New School Building The U.S. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, on his first visit to Pakistan, stated "people of FATA should be very proud that their government is striving to provide better school facilities for teachers and students of the area." He emphasized the importance of ensuring access to education for the children in FATA and that making schools an enjoyable place to learn is an important step towards convincing parents that their children can receive a quality education. Thanking the Governments of United States and Japan for their support, the Governor of NWFP said the FATA Directorate of Education will ensure schools have an adequate number of teachers who are qualified and trained.(complete text)