Search

US Ambassador Donald Blome says devastation caused by Pakistan floods is ‘shocking’

Visits LUMS Energy Institute, heritage sites in Walled City of Lahore

11:50 PM | 26 Sep, 2022
US Ambassador Donald Blome says devastation caused by Pakistan floods is ‘shocking’
Source: US Consulate General Lahore (Twitter)

LAHORE — US Ambassador Donald Blome said on Monday the devastation caused by the recent floods in Pakistan was ‘shocking’.

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by US Consul General William K. Makaneole at Avari, Blome said, “I recently visited flood affected areas and the devastation is shocking.”

The ambassador said the US would continue to support Pakistan and would make more efforts in this regard. “We will keep trying to find resources to help Pakistan deal with this calamity,” he said.

He said, “We spent two years dealing with the Covid. Pakistan did a fantastic job in addressing the Covid pandemic. The US donated 77 million doses. One reason we managed to do this was that Pakistan did a very efficient job in administering the doses.”

Referring to people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and the United States, Blome said, “Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have travelled to the US, and a record [number of] Pakistani students travelled to the US this year. We are looking to resolve issues of Pakistani people that matter most like investment and trade.”

During his visit to Lahore Fort and the Walled City, Ambassador Blome said he met an incredible array of people, politicians and civil society representatives who were striving to make Pakistan better. He said they talked about the challenges Pakistan was facing and how the US could support Pakistan and sometimes Pakistan could support the US. “Our relationships work two-way,” he said.

“People are Pakistan's greatest resource. We know that as we have so many Pakistanis working in the US. 22,000 Pakistanis have been in US language programmes, etc. Pakistan is the largest Fulbright receiver in the world,” he said.

Blome said, “This is 75th year of US-Pakistan relations. We are having an event later in the week in Islamabad to mark this. I look forward to working on issues important to Pakistan, food security, energy, investment and trade. There's so much potential in these areas. One of the greatest area of potential in Pak-US relations is trade and investment.”

Speaking earlier, US Consul General Makaneole said, “Welcome to Ambassador Donald Blome on his first trip. For those who don’t know, Ambassador Blome arrived here in Islamabad to take role as Chief representative.

“I have been here for a year now, and during this time, I’ve discovered that this country has lot to offer, with culture and cuisines.

“For the people coming from the world, you’ll be going to learn the most as we are celebrating 75th anniversary of Pak-US ties. People to people interactions are the foundation between the relationship between the two countries.

“The United States has committed nearly $55 million in assistance to support the people who were affected by worst flooding. My heart goes out to all people affected by the worst flooding.”

Highlighting the partnership between the two sides, the consul general said the United States was Pakistan’s largest export market. “Here in Punjab, partnership is strong as over 55 pc of textile companies turned to American cotton for cloth manufacturing,” he said.

“In the year 2021, the two-way trade soared to $5.3 billion, just one of the examples showing how trade ties grew between the two sides,” the US diplomat said.

He said, “Many of Pakistani people are studying in the United States, most from Punjab, and this will be the generation that will carry this partnership further.”

Blome also visited LUMS Energy Institute (LEI) in Lahore.

Advertisement

Pakistani rupee inches up against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal and Dirham; Check latest rates here

Pakistani rupee witnessed upward trajectort against US dollar and other currencies amid positive economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Wednesday, the US dollar moved down and was being quoted at 283.7 for buying and 286.75 for selling.

Euro remained stable at 309 for buying and 312 for selling. British Pound rate increased to 361 for buying, and 364 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED dropped to 77.6 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 6 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar USD 283.7  286.75 
Euro EUR 309  312 
UK Pound Sterling GBP 361  364 
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.6 78.3
Saudi Riyal SAR 76 76.8
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 758.58 766.58
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.93 40.33
Danish Krone DKK 41.41 41.81
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.49 36.84
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 923.13 932.13
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.97 61.57
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.89 177.89
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.68 26.98
Omani Riyal OMR 740.01 748.01
Qatari Riyal QAR 78.36 79.06
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.45 27.75
Thai Bhat THB 8.09 8.24

Gold price sees major drop in Pakistan; Check today gold rates - 6 Dec 2023

KARACHI – Gold prices in the local market continue to decline in line with the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 6 December 2023

On Wednesday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs219,400 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs188,100. 

Each tola for 24 karat is Rs216,700, 22 Karat is Rs198,640, and 21 karat rate per tola is Rs189,613 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,525.00 for single tola.

In the global market, the precious metal moved down, and hovers around $2023 per ounce after drop of around $10.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Karachi PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Islamabad PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Peshawar PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Quetta PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Sialkot PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Attock PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Gujranwala PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Jehlum PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Multan PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Bahawalpur PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Gujrat PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Nawabshah PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Chakwal PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Hyderabad PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Nowshehra PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Sargodha PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Faisalabad PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625
Mirpur PKR 219,400 PKR 2,625

Advertisement

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Sign up for Newsletter