Islamabad, July 27, 2026(Kamran Raja): The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted an in-house discussion with a visiting delegation of the United States Congress, marking the first-ever visit of a U.S. Congressional delegation to the Institute.
The U.S. delegation comprised Representative Ryan Zinke, Representative Michael Baumgartner, Mr. Graham Gunter, Legislative Assistant to Representative Ryan Zinke, and Mr. Harris Cull, Legislative Aide to Representative Michael Baumgartner. The delegation was received by Chairman Board of Governors, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, and Director General ISSI, Ambassador Moin ul Haque.
Welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Moin ul Haque briefed the visitors on ISSI’s mandate, research initiatives, and contributions to policy discourse. He expressed the Institute’s desire to expand institutional linkages with the U.S. Congress and leading American think tanks to promote greater academic and policy engagement.
The discussion featured a comprehensive exchange of views on issues of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on Pakistan–United States relations. Participants explored opportunities to enhance economic cooperation, strengthen educational and cultural exchanges, and discussed broader geopolitical developments affecting the region.
The meeting was also attended by several distinguished former Pakistani diplomats, including Ambassador Masood Khalid, former Ambassador to China; Ambassador Masood Khan, former Ambassador to the United States; Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, former Foreign Secretary and former Ambassador to the United States; and Ambassador Asif Durrani, former Special Representative for Afghanistan and former Ambassador to Iran.
The interaction reflected the shared interest of both sides in promoting sustained dialogue, strengthening institutional engagement, and fostering greater understanding on regional and international issues of common concern.