US Congressman Tom Suozzi has described Pakistan as one of the biggest victims of terrorism and called for greater US support to help the country address the security challenge, according to foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi.
Mehdi said Suozzi, who chairs the Pakistan Caucus in the US Congress, made the remarks during a meeting with him in New York. According to Mehdi, the congressman said Pakistan was facing a “tremendous level of terrorism” and that the United States should do what it could to help protect the Pakistani people.
Mehdi quoted Suozzi as saying that Pakistan is a major victim of terrorism and that the scale of the challenge is often underestimated. Suozzi also discussed Pakistan’s difficulties in securing its borders, with particular reference to the mountainous terrain and other challenges along parts of the country’s frontiers.
According to Mehdi, Suozzi suggested that the United States should share intelligence with Pakistan to strengthen its counterterrorism efforts. He also proposed that Washington encourage its allies, including India, to support the sale of weapons to Pakistan for counterterrorism purposes.
Pakistan’s Regional Role
The US congressman also highlighted what Mehdi described as Pakistan’s broader strategic importance in South Asia, the Middle East and the wider region.
According to Mehdi, Suozzi said Pakistan could become an increasingly trusted US partner because of its relationships with countries that have difficult ties with Washington. He also suggested that Pakistan could help facilitate communication between the United States and countries with which it has differences.
Mehdi said Suozzi referred to Pakistan’s role in contacts between Washington and Tehran and argued that Islamabad had significant credibility in the region.
Focus on Economic Relations
Economic cooperation was another major topic discussed during the meeting. According to Mehdi, Suozzi said Pakistan had significant economic potential because of its young population, natural resources and human capital.
The congressman reportedly suggested that stronger economic relations should become an important part of the Pakistan-US relationship.
Mehdi said Suozzi proposed the establishment of an independent arbitration board to resolve disputes between foreign investors and Pakistani individuals or companies. According to the proposal, the body could include Pakistani, American and British lawyers and judges.
Such a mechanism, Suozzi reportedly argued, could provide greater confidence to foreign investors and potentially encourage investment in Pakistan.
Pakistan-India Relations
The discussion also covered relations between Pakistan and India. According to Mehdi, Suozzi recalled his visit to Pakistan in 2025, including a visit to Kartarpur Sahib.
Mehdi said the congressman viewed Kartarpur as an example of how people from India and Pakistan could maintain contact despite longstanding tensions. Suozzi reportedly expressed hope that the crossing could once again contribute to reducing tensions between the two countries.
He suggested reopening the Kartarpur border crossing and expanding cultural contacts between Pakistan and India. A cricket match was also mentioned as a possible form of people-to-people engagement, potentially hosted in either country or in the United States.
Pakistan’s Foreign Policy and US Market Access
Mehdi said Pakistan’s balanced foreign policy and relationships with major global powers could give Islamabad an opportunity to play a wider diplomatic role.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s historical role in helping improve relations between the United States and China and said stronger engagement could allow Pakistan to contribute to dialogue between countries with competing interests.
The discussion also touched on Pakistan’s access to the US market. Mehdi stressed the importance of better market access for Pakistani products, alongside reforms in civilian institutions, as part of efforts to build stronger and longer-term economic ties between Pakistan and the United States.
The remarks attributed to Congressman Suozzi were reported by Muhammad Mehdi following their meeting in New York.
