Overseas Pakistanis
Convention in New York
A Pakistan Link Report
Los Angeles, CA: A convention
of Pakistani Americans will be held in New York on July
9 to help frame a comprehensive ‘Overseas Pakistanis
Policy’ that could help provide an effective rapport
between Islamabad and Pakistanis living outside the country.
This was stated by Mr Tariq Azim Khan, Minister of State
for Labor, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis while addressing
prominent community members at the Beverly Hills Country
Club on July 1.
The minister informed the gathering that participants in
the July 9 convention will be drawn from all parts of the
United States. They will aggregate 150 and deliberate over
measures that could form recommendations for incorporation
in the proposed policy. Similar conventions have already
been held at Rome and London. It is also planned to organize
such conventions in Scandinavia, the Middle East and the
Far East.
Mr Tariq Azim Khan informed the gathering that PM Shaukat
Aziz is deeply seized of the importance of overseas Pakistanis
who as individuals as well as groups have acted in the past
to contribute to the growth of Pakistan in various sectors.
Their potential, however, has not been fully realized and
the present government is keen to harness it fully.
The government has created a full-fledged division headed
by a federal secretary to oversee the affairs of overseas
Pakistanis who are much better positioned today than in
the past. They are invested with educational and professional
excellence as well as financial strength and are well poised
to give a fillip to Pakistan’s growth. Overseas Pakistanis
can contribute much more than making foreign exchange remittances.
Their role in image building, transfer of technology, and
investment growth is important and with sustained efforts
overseas Pakistanis could produce tangible results as Chinese
Americans and Indian Americans have done for their respective
countries.
The Minister disclosed that the New York convention would
also focus on issues confronting the Pakistani-American
community. The Minister of State for Interior, Board of
Investment Secretary, and a representative of the Information
Ministry will especially fly from Pakistan to address the
convention. Besides, officials of the US Homeland Security
and the State Department will attend the convention and
allay apprehensions, if any, of the Pakistani-American community.
(Another report next week)
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