Washington D.C.: At a recent event held at the Jamshed Marker Hall in the Embassy of Pakistan, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh emphasized the embassy’s commitment to supporting Pakistani-American community initiatives that foster the development of Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of leveraging the embassy’s resources to facilitate community-led events and projects.
According to Embassy of Pakistan – Washington D.C, Ambassador Sheikh reiterated the crucial role of the Pakistani-American community in strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and the United States, which is beneficial for both nations. He underscored the direct benefits that enhanced U.S.-Pakistan relations have on the community and encouraged active participation to bolster these ties further.
During his address, Ambassador Sheikh stated, “Pakistan is our identity. None of us would have been here today if Pakistan didn’t exist,” emphasizing the unity and identity of Pakistani-Americans regardless of their place of residence. He called for a collective effort towards national development, urging community members to set aside personal affiliations for the greater good.
The event, organized by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), also featured remarks by Syed Qamar Raza, Chairman of the OPF Board of Governors. Raza outlined the foundation’s strategies and future initiatives aimed at improving services for expatriates and resolving their issues promptly. He announced the expansion of the OPF’s Advisory Council to include 200 members, enhancing the organization’s inclusivity and ability to engage various sectors in Pakistan’s development.
Raza appealed for unity and cooperation within the Pakistani community to advance the OPF’s objectives, particularly aiming to increase foreign remittances, which are a significant part of Pakistan’s economy.
The event was attended by notable community leaders who also spoke about the importance of political engagement in the U.S. to strengthen bilateral relations.