NEWYORK: The American Pakistani Advocacy Group has once again made the entire nation proud as through APAG’s efforts, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh introduced a resolution in the New York State Assembly to declare March 18 as Pakistani American Business Day and March 23 as Pakistani American Heritage Day.
During the proceedings of the meeting, Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed, Consul General Amir Ahmed Atuzai, APAG President Ali Rashid and their entire team were also present, who were also holding green crescent flags in their hands.
They greeted each other when the Assembly Speaker passed the resolution on Pakistan American Business Day and Heritage Day.
The resolution recognizes the important role of Pakistani American businessmen and business leaders in economic development, job creation, and strengthening the cultural diversity of the state of New York.
Business figures from the Pakistani American community also participated on this occasion.
Later, resolutions on Pakistani American Business and Heritage were also presented in the New York State Senate through Senator John Lowe, which were also accepted by the Upper House.
A ceremony was organized to present the resolution and celebrate its approval in the state legislative assembly, in which Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed, Consul General in New York Amir Ahmed Atuzai and members of the New York State Assembly and Senate also participated.
The ceremony was presided over by Assembly Speaker Nader Sayegh.
Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh and Consul General Amir Ahmed Atuzai highly appreciated the efforts of APAG and termed the approval of these resolutions as an important milestone in establishing sustainable, strong economic relations.
Addressing the participants, President of the American Pakistani Advocacy Group Ali Rashid gave a briefing about the functioning and activities of his organization.
He said that we are always striving to involve Pakistani Americans in political activities, empower women, exchange civilizations and cultures and highlight the positive face of Pakistan.
During the meeting, the Pakistani community discussed issues of mutual interest with members of the New York State Assembly.
Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, who played a key role in presenting the resolution in the assembly and its approval, said that the number of Pakistani community in New York City has exceeded 250,000 and they play an important role in the development of not only the city and the state but also the country.
In the meeting, the APAG team discussed various proposals with the assembly members to increase business and trade activities between Pakistan and the state of New York.
Deputy Speaker of the New York State Assembly Philip Ramos and Opposition Leader Alec Brooke Krasny also spoke.
They said that the resolution also acknowledges the important role of the Pakistani community in key sectors including various economic sectors including retail, hospitality, technology, finance, healthcare and real estate.
The text of the resolution states that the Pakistani community is playing a role as an important economic and cultural bridge between the two countries.
Assemblymen David Weprin, Bobby Carroll and Jennifer Rajkumar also addressed the ceremony.
The assembly members acknowledged APAG’s unwavering service to humanity. They said that APAG has always been active in community services.
The resolution emphasizes increasing trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and the State of New York.
Senators Jessica Ramos, Brian Kavanagh and others paid tribute to the services of the Pakistani American community.
They said that the active role of the Pakistani American community in the construction, development and success of New York is remarkable and unforgettable.
A report on the progress of Pakistan’s economic relations with the State of New York will be presented regularly to the Governor of New York and the Legislature in the coming years. Other speakers also expressed their views on the occasion.
Farhan Rasheed from APAG Youth Chapter and Tehmina Khan from Women’s Chapter also expressed their views at the event.
They said that APAG has strengthened the relations between the Pakistani and American communities through its social activities, which is a very positive change.
Earlier, Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed met with Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins, Majority Leader of the State Senate, and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The participants said that it is time to convert the positive progress of Pakistan-US relations into concrete results in the field of economy. At the end of the event, Assemblyman Neder Sayegh presented the proclamation of the resolution passed by the Assembly to Pakistani Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.
