ISLAMABAD    -    United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) October 2-4 to promote the US-Pakistan partnership and highlight the two countries’ deep economic, cultural, and people- to-people ties. During his visit, Ambassador Blome met with AJK Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas and academic, business, cultural, and civil society representatives, said a US embassy statement issued here yesterday. In Muzaffarabad, Ambassador Blome laid a wreath to honour the victims of the 2005 earthquake and stated that “during the 75 years of our partnership, the United States has always stood by Pakistan, particularly when it’s needed most.” Following the earthquake, the US government and private sector provided significant humanitarian relief and reconstruction, and the US military delivered relief supplies. In his meetings, Ambassador Blome emphasized that the United States is continuing this strong tradition of supporting Pakistan during times of great need, having thus far contributed more than $66 million in cash, food, shelter, and health assistance in response to the devastating flooding.