KARACHI: United States Consul General in Karachi Grace Shelton traveled to Ghotki from November 14-16 to highlight the historic and ongoing ties between the United States and the people of Sindh.

In Ghotki, she met with federal, provincial, and local officials along with civil society and religious leaders to exchange views on U.S.-Pakistan cooperation and mutual interests.  Consul General Shelton said, “Sindh and its people offer so much cultural, economic, and political diversity – it is always productive to travel outside of Karachi and to interact with people across the province.”

Consul General Shelton met with civil society leaders and local government officials to discuss steps they were taking to address Ghotki’s challenges, including public health issues, women’s empowerment, education, the environment, and employment.  Consul General Shelton said, “I was so pleased to see firsthand the great extent to which civil society groups are working together with government, in partnership, to build a more resilient and inclusive Ghotki.”

The Consul General visited Sachoo Satram Das Hindu temple in Raharaki and met with members of the local Hindu community, Hindu politicians, and the Federal Minister of State for Inter provincial Cooperation, Dr. Darshan Punshi.  CG Shelton commented that she was pleased to discuss the promotion of tolerance and interfaith dialogue throughout her trip.

In addition, Consul General Shelton and Sindh Education Minister Jam Mahtab Hussain Dahar inaugurated a new school building in Bhellar, Sukkur, which was constructed with funding from the United States.  She also visited Daharki’s Technical Training College, where young women and girls described how they have benefited from “Pathways to Success,” a U.S. Government supported program that funds vocational education and training programs.

The Consul General also visited an Engro power plant in Ghotki that uses equipment manufactured in the U.S. by General Electric to produce clean energy for the national power grid.  The Consul General also met with local businesses, including the sole McDonald franchise in northern Sindh.