PL Publications and JFK Realty Host Farewell Reception for DCS Shoaib Sarwar
By Anwar Khawaja
Two leading community organizations – PL Publications and JFK Realty – joined hands to host a delectable iftar-party reception for departing Deputy Consul General Shoaib Sarwar at the Shahnawaz Restaurant in Artesia on May 7. Present on the occasion were the movers and shakers of the community who have watched with admiration Mr Sarwar’s devoted services for Pakistan and the Pakistani-American community in Southern California. He has been given credit for carrying out improvements in the working of the Consulate General of Los Angeles under the patronage and guidance of Consul General Abdul Jabbar Memon.
The spacious banquet hall of Shahnawaz Restaurant was tastefully decorated befitting the occasion, thanks to the zest and ingenuity of Mr Sameen Farooqi and his wife Rubina who organized the event. Mr Farooqi was the emcee. In his opening remarks after the recital of naats by Nikit Khan, Muhammad Irshad and Dr Yameen Qasim, he lauded Mr Sarwar for sparing no effort to “promote the cause of Pakistan and help every Pakistani who came to the Consulate.”
Mr Jamal Khawaja, president and owner of JFK Realty, spoke highly of Mr Sarwar and expressed the hope that he would one day rejoin the community as Ambassador of Pakistan. He implored the gathering to ignore trifling annoyances and not to be overly critical of the country and its diplomats as they work under heavy odds. Unwarranted criticism, especially on the social media, serves as fodder for the country’s immediate neighbor that spares no opportunity to malign Pakistan.
Mr Jamal Khawaja emotionally claimed that Pakistan has changed. “It is not the Pakistan you left thirty-forty years ago. I have a factory in Pakistan. I did not have any trouble in building it, I did not bribe anybody, nor did I seek help of any influential person. Pakistan is a beautiful country… I and all the other Pakistanis in Southern California will miss Shoaib Sarwar.” Mr Khawaja, along with his wife Mrs Fozia Khawaja, presented a shield on behalf of JFK Realty to the departing diplomat.
Mr Arif Mansuri, President and owner of PL Publications, the publisher of weekly newspapers Pakistan Link and Urdu Link, paid glowing tributes to Mr Shoaib Sarwar. “He is a great person, and we will miss him. I am happy to present a shield to Mr Shoaib Sawar on behalf of PL Publications.” He complimented Mr Sawar for his hard work in the Consulate. “He never refused an invitation from a Pakistani organization. He has done a great job of connecting the Pakistani business community to Amazon, an international conglomerate, to boost the country’s trade. This success will bring millions of dollars to Pakistan.”
Proudly, Mr Mansuri mentioned his fifteen-year association with PL Publications during which both Pakistan Link and Urdu Link appeared unfailingly on time, thanks to the devotion of the editors - Akhtar Faruqui, Shabbir Ghori, and Anwar Khawaja. Pakistan Link and Urdu Link have the distinction of being the most subscribed US-based Pakistani American papers.
Mr Mansuri, along with Resident Editor of Urdu Link Mr Anwar Khawaja, presented a shield on behalf of PL Publications to the departing diplomat.
Mr Shoaib Sarwar appeared visibly overwhelmed with emotions as he took the rostrum. “I am very thankful to all of you. I never expected that in spite of Covid so many people will turn up.” He appeared truly humbled by the accolades showered upon him. “I tried to do my work at the Consulate honestly. I proposed some changes in the working and the Consul General agreed. We were doing all functions and activities only in Los Angeles. We thought we should go to other cities where large Pakistani communities lived. So, first we celebrated the Pakistan Day in Sacramento. It was a remarkably successful event. The next function was the 14th of August celebration which we planned to organize in San Jose. But later, we thought Seattle, where all big companies of America - Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing - are located would also be an attractive choice. The Pakistan communities in Seattle are very vibrant and well to do too. It turned out to be a great choice. Not a single dollar of Pakistan was spent. All the funds were provided by the Pakistani communities. As for establishing rapport with Amazon, credit is given to me, but other people too have been part of the negotiations. The Ministry of Commerce wrote a letter asking that we communicate with Amazon. They tried but got no response. I negotiated with Amazon. I am receiving messages from Pakistan that the deal is done. We have not received any final approval, so I cannot commit. I am sure, it will be done.”
A delicious dinner followed and was greatly enjoyed by all and sundry.
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