A fond farewell: Honoring the people, partnerships, and flavours of Punjab
I've been fortunate to travel and work all across Punjab Province — from Attock to Rahim Yar Khan — spending quality time in more than 20 districts. Everywhere I've gone, I've been greeted by such warm Pakistani hospitality, and I've had the opportunity to meet so many inspiring individuals who are working to build stronger ties between the United States and Pakistan, which benefit both of our countries' prosperity and security.
For example, I've seen how US businesses across Punjab Province are creating high-quality jobs for thousands of Pakistani men and women, while also driving local innovation in sectors ranging from agriculture to IT. I've heard from Pakistani businesspeople about how they are turninghigh-quality US cotton imports into beautifulPakistani textiles — strengthening both the American and Pakistani economies. I've met hundreds of students who are working hard in US-supported English-language programs, recognizing that stronger English language skills will open doors to new economic possibilities for themselves and their communities.
One of the major highlights of my time as Consul General was preparing for the December 2024 opening of the new US-supported "Lincoln Corner" at the historic Quaid-e-Azam Library in Lahore — as well as engaging with Pakistani students at other Lincoln Corners spread across the province. These locations offer opportunities for Pakistanis to check out the latest U.S. technology, explore study-abroad opportunities in the United States' world-class universities, and to help Americans and Pakistanis connect with one another. If you haven't attended a program at your nearby Lincoln Corner yet, I highly encourage it! In Lahore, I also always have appreciated the opportunity to drop by the iconic Lahore Fort to see the latest progress on our ongoing cultural preservation project to restore seven of the Fort's structures for future generations to enjoy.
Of course, I've loved sampling unique local dishes all across Punjab Province, from chirayin Gujranwala, to payye in Lahore, to sohan halwa in Multan. And I'll especially miss Pakistan's fruits — including, of course, the kinnow, which is a sweet reminder and symbol of the longstanding US-Pakistan collaboration in agriculture.
While I'm sad to depart Pakistan, I look forward to returning sometime in the future. My tenure as Consul General marks my third time working in Pakistan, and I hope not my final time living in this beautiful country! I also leave confident that the US-Pakistan partnership in Punjab Province and beyond willcontinue to grow. Thousands of Pakistani alumni of US exchange programs are playing a vital role in introducing the skills and knowledge from their US programs into their local communities.
Thank you, Punjab Province, for the very warm welcome that you gave me, and that I know you will give to my successor.
The writer is the consul general of the USA in Lahore
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