By : Farooq Mirza
New York, Queens– A splendid dinner reception was organized in honor of Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani , Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, who arrived in the United States with his delegation to participate in the annual United Nations events.
The event was hosted by Syed Alamdar Shah, Chief Editor of Chase News, a distinguished figure in the Pakistani-American community. Among the notable attendees were Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations , Consul General of Pakistan in New York , Farooq Mirza, President of 4thpillar Media Watchdog USA , Zahir Ahmad Mehr, Chairman of Global Foundation , Shakil Shaikh , VP Overseas Global Foundation ,
and other prominent community members were
from Long Island, Humayun Qureshi , Humayun Safdar and Molana Tsawer Gillani also participated.
Syed Alamdar Shah said that Boby Kumar is not a guest , he is the event’s host a and a prominent personality from the American-Indian community . Mr Kumar welcomed Chairman Gilani to the United States. In his introductory remarks, he stated that he shares a long-standing relationship with Yousuf Raza Gilani, remains in constant contact with him, enjoys excellent relations with Pakistan, has many relatives in Pakistan, and that his parents and grandparents also hail from Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar, addressed the gathering, stating that it is a matter of pride for the Pakistani-American community to warmly welcome its guests. He praised Pakistani diplomats for always upholding Pakistan’s honor on the diplomatic front. He briefed attendees on Chairman Gilani’s meetings with various delegations and his speech at the United Nations, noting that Gilani represented Pakistan excellently, enhancing the prestige of Pakistan’s Senate. He emphasized the importance of such visits by high officials from Pakistan’s upper house to maintain interaction with the community.
The Consul General of Pakistan in New York expressed gratitude to the guests and thanked Syed Alamdar Shah for organizing such a beautiful dinner event.
In his address, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani thanked the hosts and attendees. He highlighted that Pakistan has faced significant challenges, and his party, government, and particularly the Senate worked on various amendments under difficult circumstances for the welfare of the people and to improve the system. They made tough decisions at every critical juncture and kept the nation united. He described the Pakistani-American community as vibrant and expressed his delight as Senate Chairman at the warm welcome and magnificent reception arranged in his honor. He paid tribute to the event organizers.
Sarwer Ch , a prominent figure in the Pakistani-American community and senior member of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), also spoke. He discussed his affiliation with the PPP, his association with Benazir Bhutto, his loyalty, and his special connection to the Borewala Vahari area and Multan. He expressed gratitude to Gilani and his family for advancing development in the region and playing a key role in agricultural progress in Multan and surrounding areas.Sarwer Ch is a dedicated community activist has been serving Pakistani American Community as a Pharmacist and a proud Pakistani .
Farooq Mirza presented a proposal to the Chairman Senate, noting that the Pakistan People’s Party is fragmented in the United States. He suggested that if the PPP returns to power (potentially with the Prime Ministership in the future), efforts should be made at the international level to unite the party’s various groups and fulfill the dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto by ending divisions. He requested Gilani, as a PPP leader, to play a role in unifying these splintered groups. In response, the Chairman Senate assured that he would fulfill his responsibility in this regard.
The event underscored the strong bonds between Pakistan’s leadership and its diaspora community in the United States.
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar (Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations):
Ambassador Asim Iftikhar stated that what is Kashmir, and there are many such issues that Afghanistan shares in common with it, along with the rest of Pakistan’s perspective on the matter. It was a very good competition [perhaps meaning “very good conversation” and the Prime Minister is coming to Washington. This is a good opportunity for the rest of the discussions.
Senator Jessica Ramos said that who represents Queens County up in Albany, our state capital, said: “It is an extreme pleasure for me to be able to welcome Mr. Gilani tonight here in Queens, where so many Pakistanis have made history and have made tremendous contributions to our culture, to our economy, certainly to our education, and to our business community.
Now, I have never been to Pakistan, and my Urdu is not very good, but I know Pakistan because I’m born and raised in Jackson Heights, and I have been able to know Pakistanis my entire life. I know how hardworking you are, I know how incredibly educated and smart you are, and I know how delicious your food is.
And so tonight, I actually brought some citations to recognize just a few of the important Pakistanis. I know there are many others who have made tremendous contributions, and I do want to shout out Ms. Sarah Pervez and Mr. Kevin Shakil who are incredible people with bright futures. Ms. Pervez is an incredible attorney, if I may, who won a very hard trial this week. Senator Ramos also presented Citation to Shakil Shaikh who served Pakistani American Community for a long time . Mr Sheikh is a VP of Overseas Pakistan Global Foundation and he represented the Community in Pakistan . Syed Alamdar Shah and other Community participants received gifts awards and citations from Senator Ramos and Chairman Senate . Mr Boby Kumar also exchanged Citations and gifts with Yousf Raza Gillani .
