MULTAN – The U.S. Consul General in Lahore Yuriy Fedkiw and USAID Provincial Director Alyson McFarland visited Multan, one of the oldest cities in South Asia, to highlight ongoing U.S.-Pakistan cooperation on interfaith harmony and cultural heritage, as well as building skills for Pakistan’s growing youth population.
“Musa Pak’s teachings call for tolerance and coexistence,” said Consul General Fedkiw, who paid his respects at the shrine of Abdul Hassab Musa Pak Shaheed. Consul General Fedkiw further added, “Musa Pak’s message of universal love is inspiring.”
During his visit to the City of Sufis, Consul General Fedkiw met with former Prime Minister and custodian of the Musa Pak shrine Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working with Pakistan to advance shared goals for peace and stability in the region. Consul General Fedkiw also met with the Commissioner of Multan, Mr. Bilal Ahmad Butt, and members of the governing body of the Multan Press Club during his tour of the city.
Consul General Fedkiw and USAID Provincial Director McFarland also toured the Government Technical Training Institute in Multan. The institute currently hosts the U.S. government-funded Punjab Youth Workforce Development (PYWD), a $13.9 million, three-year project to train youth in Multan, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Bahawalpur. The project is designed to encourage employment opportunities for 10,000 young men and women.
The Consul General highlighted his appreciation of the rich culture, history, and dynamism of Multan and its youth. The U.S. government continues to provide a range of assistance to Pakistan to preserve and restore the nation’s rich cultural heritage.
Since 2009, the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation has provided more than $70,000 to restore shrines in Multan, including Musa Pak Shaheed and Shah Shams Tabraiz. This work was completed by talented local craftsmen, under the supervision of archeological experts, using traditional methods.
