Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh Visits the Sacramento Region
By Ras H. Siddiqui
Pakistan and the United States have enjoyed almost eighty years of friendship and security cooperation. But there are those who would argue (with some validity) that this relationship has been mainly strategic, starting with America’s fight against communism and later terrorism (a battle which unfortunately continues). But while these went on, one negative impact which Pakistan, the fifth largest country in the world (by population) has had to face, has been economic. But Pakistan is also a country of incredibly talented people some of whom have done extremely well overseas and could contribute back home too.
On August 9,2026 Pakistan’s sitting Ambassador in Washington, His Excellency Rizwan Saeed Sheikh arrived in the Sacramento, California region to promote commercial ties between California and Pakistan. The Ambassador’s arrival to the California capital region was hit by a flight delay and his presence at the Rocklin, California venue was greeted by a power outage that lasted throughout the evening. Plus, the heat outside did not help much either. With this trio of challenges, one attendee remarked that this was just like being in Pakistan!
But one must hand it to our hosts Engineer Maqsood Ali and his family for making sure that this event and their hospitality were not seriously impacted even without electricity. And as they say, the show must go on, and it did, with minimal lighting and no air conditioning. Engineer Maqsood Ali himself had recently returned from Pakistan where he went as a part of a delegation of US based Pakistani American businessmen trying to promote economic activity between the two countries and states in the US.
After appetizers and words of appreciation by the host, Ambassador Sheikh gave a short speech given in the Urdu language (upon request). Exact translation of Urdu into English is not always accurate but we will try here. Sheikh started off by expressing his thanks to the host and the community members present for attending. He said that the status of US-Pakistan relations is currently remarkably satisfactory and that the two countries have had excellent relations in the past too, but also periods of turbulence.
Ambassador Sheikh said that the “optics” of the current relationship between America and Pakistan are the best that they have ever been. But the challenge will be to sustain it. And that is where the Pakistani American community can play a significant role, he said. Ambassadors like him will come and go but the community here is a permanent part of connecting the two countries. You are the real long-term ambassadors of Pakistan here, he said.
The Ambassador added that one way to help maintain great ties between our country of origin and adopted country is by enhancing the economic ties between them. He said that this includes connectivity at the state level, including in California since Washington can sometimes be more focused on the political and strategic aspects. He commended host Engineer Maqsood Ali for his efforts in enhancing trade relations between Pakistan and California.
Pakistan’s growing population was also discussed along with its recent diplomatic efforts towards maintaining regional security and in peacemaking. But the Ambassador added that the country also needs to focus much more on economic strength. And for that as a start he asked that our community focus on buying Pakistani goods and services from here which can help the economy back home. An example he gave was that our ladies could give priority to buying their jewelry from Pakistan.
On Pakistani Americans he said that they are a successful community but that we need to set aside our political divisions and unite to make a positive mark both here and in Pakistan. Pakistan is our mother country, he said and if it is facing difficulty we should help to make it better. All countries have issues. Critics had once said that Pakistan would not last three months, but we have proved those naysayers wrong and are closing in on celebrating almost 80 years of independence.
Pakistan’s field hockey legend Akhtar Rasool was also present at this event and shared words of encouragement and some Urdu poetry. And on a quick economy related note this writer did get a chance to chat with Ambassador Sheikh and express appreciation for both the better quality and quantity of Pakistani mangoes that we received here in America this year. The Sindhri variety was indeed excellent.
The Ambassador’s activities the following day included attending a session of the California State Assembly where Senate Resolution SR-125, was introduced and read out by Senator Melissa Hurtado recognizing the many contributions that the Pakistani American community has made and continues to make to California. This effort was spearheaded by Dr. Imran Sharief of the Council of Pakistan and the resolution passed unanimously with a 40-0 vote. The Ambassador also held meetings with Senator Eloise Gomez Reyes, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva and Assemblymember Matt Haney, facilitated by Dr. Imran Sharief. And Ambassador Sheikh met with California State Treasurer (and Lt. Governor candidate) Fiona Ma, which was arranged by Engineer Maqsood Ali.
(Independence Day greetings to all our readers)
