by: Farooq Mirza
New York — The Pakistani American Community (APAC), a leading organization dedicated to uniting and empowering the Pakistani diaspora in the United States, successfully organized a magnificent oath-taking ceremony for its newly elected board members. Held during the sacred month of Ramadan, the event attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd, including community leaders, families, a significant number of women and youth, and prominent guests, showcasing the vibrant, peaceful, and industrious spirit of the Pakistani American community.
The program was eloquently moderated by Rehila Firdous, with Zahid Shah, APAC’s General Secretary, efficiently managing the proceedings. It began with the beautiful recitation of Tilawat-e-Quran and Na’at in praise of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, infusing the gathering with spiritual serenity. Maulana Tasawwur Gilani led heartfelt special prayers for Pakistan’s stability and prosperity, the success and protection of the Pakistan Armed Forces, and national unity and harmony.
APAC Chairman Tauqeer-ul-Haq, in his address, expressed sincere gratitude to the new board members for their invitation and praised the Pakistani American community as vibrant, peace-loving, and deeply committed to hard work and self-reliance. He shared an inspiring vision for the organization’s future: elevating the community to a more sophisticated and “class-savvy” level by empowering women to start and expand businesses and equipping the youth with skills for personal branding, professional growth, and success in American society while preserving their cultural heritage.
Special thanks were extended to Farooq Mirza, a prominent community leader and media figure, for facilitating strong business linkages between Pakistan and the U.S.
Tauqeer-ul-Haq said: Today we had the APEC Iftar Dinner combined with the APEC Oath-Taking Ceremony. Our new board has been elected, and since it’s Ramadan, we also took advantage of Pakistan Resolution Day.
That’s why we decided to hold this event now—because if we waited until later, it would have been too early for the usual celebrations. Today, we cut a cake for Pakistan, and special prayers were offered for peace in Pakistan. We also prayed fervently for the Pakistani Armed Forces—that Allah Almighty grants them success, helps them in the mission they have undertaken, protects our country, and safeguards our people. InshaAllah, Ameen.”
(He was speaking about the combined event where the oath-taking for the new APAC board took place alongside an Iftar dinner. He introduces the new executive Board members namely ,
Sheikh Tauqeer UL Haq
(Chairman) ,Khurum Khan , (Co-Chairman/Treasurer ,Arshed Hussain
(President),Zahid Ali Shah ,(Gen Secetary),Aliya Tauqeer , (Chairperson),
Shahzaib Mirza ,
(SNR.Vice President) ,
Hafiz Sohail Anwer
(Vice President) ,Shaan Malik ,(Vice President),
Syed Azfar Zeidi ,(Vice President),Salman Butt
(Vice President),
Haseeb UL Hassan Jagi
(Asst. Vice President) ,
Muhammad Hussain
(Joint Secetary),
Nouman Somroo
(PRO)-(Public Relation
Officer),Raheela Firdous
(Vice President Women Wing),Dr Sundas Ali
(Cordinator) ,
Farooq Mirza (Media Cordinator)and Youth Wing Board of Directors ,
Ribal UL Haq
(President) ,Ramis UL Haq ,( Director) ,Dua Tauqeer (Director) ,
MuhammadAzan UL Haq
( Director) ,Samir Hussain (Director) ,IQRA Sheikh
(Director) ,Abu Baker
(Director) ,
Mohammad Ayaan Sohail
( Director),Ayaan Malik
(Director) ,Arshman Malik
(Director) ,Fajar Zeidi
(Director) ,Hassan Hayat
(Director) ,Hadi Hayaat
(Director),Eman Hayat
(Director), and Salma Arshed (Director) .
Introducing himself, Farooq Mirza highlighted his roles as President of 4thpillar Media Watchdog, publisher of the American newspaper Vigilant, owner of a TV network, and Director of CPNE. He proudly announced that, for the first time, solid partnerships have been forged with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, and the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce in the United States.
He further revealed plans for a major business networking dinner on April 19, featuring a delegation of women entrepreneurs from the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce. This event aims to foster direct business connections, explore new opportunities, and promote women-led enterprises. Mirza also shared exciting news that Pakistani women in the diaspora can now officially become members of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce, paving the way for enhanced cross-border trade, collaborations, and women’s empowerment.
The ceremony’s most distinguished moment came with the special appearance of New York State Senator Jessica Ramos. She described it as a great honor to join the Pakistani community in observing Roza (fasting) and sharing Iftar during Ramadan. Senator Ramos expressed her deep connection to Pakistani culture, her genuine love for Pakistani cuisine, and her profound respect for Pakistani traditions, customs, and way of life. She noted that many residents of New York’s Queens area—especially women and young people from the Pakistani community—are her active constituents who participate enthusiastically in civic and political life. Her presence highlighted the strengthening bonds between local leadership and the diaspora.
Guests were treated to an authentic display of Pakistani hospitality with a delicious array of traditional dishes. The evening concluded on a high note with performances of patriotic songs celebrating the shared values and friendship between America and Pakistan, filling the atmosphere with joy, solidarity, and national pride.
Senator Jessica Ramos’s said that I know that Allah accepts your sacrifices, and this is why I always like to ask my Muslim neighbors over in Jackson Heights to please make dua for me and for our community. Because as you know, nationally, we’re going through a very difficult moment, especially as immigrant communities. We want to continue to be able to feel safe and to feel that we have every opportunity for education, for jobs, and for success in this country. This is why it’s so important that here in Queens, we stick together. So if you don’t know me, I’m New York State Senator Jessica Ramos. I represent the neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, and Elmhurst. For the past seven years, it has been a tremendous honor because we have been able to fight for homeowners and tenants, for employers and workers, for men and women, for our seniors and elders—who we hold in such high esteem—and for our children.
And as a mother myself, I know how much we all want to be able to offer our children a better world than the one we inherited. So thank you for everything that each and every one of you does to make Queens better. Because without the Pakistani-American community here, we certainly wouldn’t be as colorful, our streets wouldn’t be so vibrant and friendly, and our food wouldn’t be so delicious. Thank you all for inviting me tonight, and I hope to continue to be able to work with you and your community to ensure that our Pakistani-Americans are protected and as prosperous as ever.
This oath-taking ceremony not only inaugurated a new era of leadership for APAC but also reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to community development, women’s empowerment, youth advancement, and deepening Pakistan-U.S. relations through business, culture, and civic engagement. The large attendance by notable figures and allied organizations from the Pakistani American community made the event truly memorable and impactful.
