CHICAGO: Twenty students and faculty members from Benedictine University's Department of Global Studies were briefed on the progress Pakistan has made since it independence, its challenges and opportunities during a visit to the Consulate on Friday.

Vice Consul Saman Muneeb also told the group headed by Dr Vincent Gaddis, who is the head of the department, and his associate, Dr Olga Lambert about terrorism plaguing the country and the decisive role played by Pakistan Army in weeding it out the menace, with the Zarb-i-Azb operation in its final phases.

The students were of under-graduate level, focusing on South Asia.

A video on Pakistan highlighting Pakistan's unique culture and traditions was also screened for the group.

In his remarks Consul General Faisal Tirmizi added some insightful points on Pakistan's centuries old civilization and its deep cultural relations with its neighbours.

The students evinced great interest in Pakistan's tourism potential and were captivated by the breathtaking beauty of Pakistan's mountainous north that was shown to them on a video, according to a press release of the Consulate.

Most of the questions from the faculty and the students dealt with Pakistan's current security outlook and the stereotypes associated with the country.

Consul General Tirmizi advised the participants to disregard the generally biased reports in the press and visit Pakistan to experience its people's hospitality at first hand. The Consul General also briefed the audience on the long tradition of Pakistan-US ties and highlighted Pakistan's role in US -China rapprochement.

The faculty members thanked the Consul General for providing them with the opportunity of having a candid discussion on issues of global importance. -APP