New York- A vibrant business and trade summit, co-hosted by PACOLI and Fourth Pillar Media Watchdog brought together community leaders, government officials, and business representatives at Sherazi Restaurant in Queens to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Pakistan. The event, described as one of the largest of its kind in New York, drew prominent figures including Rehan Naseem Bharara, President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), Turkish Chamber of Commerce President Ali Kokeb, Korean Chamber of Commerce President James S. Kim, Pakistan’s Trade and Investment Counselor Adnan Mehmood, PACOLI President Sheikh Tauqeer ul Haq, PACOLI Chairman Bashir Qamar, Arshad Hussain, Aliyah Amaya, Elsa Masood, Kabir Javaid, Shahid Ranjha, Humayoun Safdar Qureshi, Prince of Denmark Mario Max and Fourth Pillar President Farooq Mirza. The summit aimed to educate the Pakistani-American diaspora on seamless trade opportunities, address vendor concerns, and foster a positive narrative around Pakistan’s trade ecosystem. This gathering highlighted not just the business potential, but also the unity and strength of Pakistani-American Business Leaders. The event showcased the significant contributions and influence of Pakistani-American Business Leaders in the New York business landscape.
Key Speeches
Celebrating Pakistani-American Business Leaders
Adnan Mehmood,
Trade and Investment Counsellor, Pakistan Consulate in New York
thanks you to PACOLI and Fourth Pillar for arranging the evening,” Adnan Mehmood began. As Trade and Investment Counselor, he highlighted his section’s expanded role in promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) alongside trade. “Our role is to facilitate trade between Pakistan and the U.S. and attract FDI, which is now very important,” he said.
Mehmood emphasized Pakistan’s traditional exports—textiles, leather, and surgical instruments—while spotlighting IT’s rise. “With 64% of our population under 30, a young, English-speaking, IT-savvy workforce is a key focus,” he noted, citing the Prime Minister’s push for IT exports. He also discussed Pakistan’s rare earth minerals, vital for defence and electronics. “Recently, U.S. Strategic Minerals received an experimental shipment of copper concentrate, antimony, and other minerals from Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization. The quality was excellent, and they look forward to further engagement,” he shared.
Mehmood celebrated a U.S. company’s commitment to invest in Pakistan’s antimony sector following an FCCI delegation visit, with plans for a November trip. “This aligns with our vision to develop minerals for global benefit,” he said, noting Pakistan’s role as an alternative amid China’s potential rare earth export curbs. On tariffs, he highlighted Pakistan’s edge: “We secured the lowest tariffs in the region compared to India’s 50%, sparking U.S. interest in Pakistani food, apparel, and textiles.” He urged the diaspora to seize these opportunities, pledging consulate support.
Bashir Qamar PACOLI’s
founder spoke passionately about PACOLI ‘s 18-year evolution. “Alhamdulillah, PACOLI is changing its face. It’s not just about Pakistan Day anymore,” he said. He highlighted efforts to engage youth through PACOLI’s Youth Wing, noting, “They are our future. It took effort, but they’re here, including my granddaughters and Tasneem Baji’s.” Khan outlined PACOLi’s initiatives, including a Seerat Conference on October 24 and a Pakistan Flood Relief event on November 8. “No U.S. organization has done this,” he declared, crediting the team and inviting Elsa Masood, President of PACOLi’s Youth Wing, to speak.
Elsa Masood: Diverse Export Opportunities
Speaker: Elsa Masood, President of PACOLI Youth Wing
Elsa Masood detailed Pakistan’s export potential:
Textiles: Pakistan’s largest export, driven by U.S. demand from South Asian communities.
Food and Agricultural Products: Basmati rice, spices, pink Himalayan salt, pickles, frozen foods, and mangoes are gaining traction.
Surgical and Medical Instruments: Includes surgical tools, dental instruments, and manicure kits for hospitals and clinics.
Sporting Goods: Sialkot’s FIFA-certified footballs, gloves, and cricket gear are valued for quality and pricing.
Handcrafts and Leather Goods: Leather jackets, handbags, and decor thrive on e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Amazon.
IT Software and Services: Freelancing, app development, and web design, with the U.S. as Pakistan’s largest IT export client.
She also outlined U.S. exports, including agricultural products (soybeans, almonds), machinery (Caterpillar), automobiles, electronics (Apple, Intel), pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, aerospace (Boeing), and IT services. “Small businesses aim for 10-20% profit margins, import-export businesses 15-40%, and luxury goods 50% or more,” she noted. “Together, we can build prosperity through cooperation. Pakistan is in the box!” Her speech left attendees exclaiming, “I didn’t know Pakistan had all this!”
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Unity and Global Trade
Speaker: Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, German Royalty
Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, a German prince with Danish lineage, greeted the audience with “Assalam-o-Alaikum” and “Pakistan Zindabad.” “This is a special evening because of your unity,” he said, praising the hospitality. “Germany is Pakistan’s top European trade partner with $3.3 billion, acting as a bridge to the EU.” Drawing on his mother Princess Antonia’s values, he emphasised shared principles: “Unity, faith, discipline—PACOLI’s keywords resonate with me.”
He highlighted Germany’s disciplined trade approach and his UN water commission work, offering his media network, reaching two million daily, to amplify Pakistani voices. “Reach out for connections in Germany, Denmark, or Europe. My mother, leading Washington’s ambassadors next year, can foster trade and peace,” he said, urging, “Have love, health, success, and wealth to uplift others.”
Sheikh Tauqeer ul Haq
, President of PACOLI
welcomed attendees, acknowledging Rehan Naseem Bharara, James S. Kim, Ali Kokeb, Adnan Mehmood, and Prince Mario-Max. He introduced hosts Farooq Mirza and Bashir Qamar , noting PACOLI 18-year legacy. Highlighting the 2025 U.S.-Pakistan Bilateral Trade Agreement, he said it reduced U.S. tariffs on Pakistani exports from 29% to 19%, boosting textiles, and offered zero tariffs on U.S. cotton and agricultural goods. He noted a U.S. crude oil shipment to Pakistan in October 2025 and a $500 million U.S. Strategic Metals investment in minerals. “This is a new chapter of mutual prosperity,” he concluded.
Farooq Mirza, Founder of Fourth Pillar Media Watchdog thanked dignitaries and honoured Bashir Qamar for uniting Pakistani-Americans through events like the Nassau County fair. “My passion is building bonds through trade,” he said. “The 1.5 million Pakistani-Americans are a vocal, peacekeeping community.” He noted a prior FCCI visit sparking 34 vendors to import Pakistani goods and announced a Pakistani pavilion at the J.V. Biz World Fair on December 10 with Faisalabad industrialists, alongside Turkish and Korean chamber collaborations. “Our motive is to bring minds and hearts together through business,” he said.
Cultural and Economic Highlights
The event featured “Kalam-e-Pakistan” recitations with English translations and a fusion of American and Pakistani National Anthem by VP PACOLI Arshad Hussain . Rehan Naseem Bharara the Chief Guest positioned Pakistan as a hub for textiles, leather, and rice, offering incentives for production plants amid India-China trade tensions. James S. Kim announced a Pakistani-Korean exhibition, while Ali Kokeb pledged a Pakistan visit. A young entrepreneur Kabeer Javaid owner of House of Indus Business Plan showcased Pakistan’s mineral wealth, and another highlighted gemstone opportunities in Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, and Baltistan, inspiring attendees.
Shahid Ranjha Vice President PACOLI and renowned business man said that PACOLI will build bonds through trade and we are so excited to host this business networking event in New York City .
Another big name in business , Senior Vice President PACOLI Hamyyun Safdar endorsed the motive of this business networking event event and said PACOLI is proud to enter unto a new kind of era promoting international trade . He also said we are honoured to be apart of this trade exercise .
Prince Mario-Max pledged a media delegation to Pakistan, and Tauqeer ul Haqq envisioned empowering women, youth, and entrepreneurs with government-backed investment guarantees. Tauqeer Also announce to host another networking event involving US State legislators and Pakistani high officials to brief them about Pakistan and its true fact based narrative . Recently, an anti Pakistan mind set was marketing fake narrative in US Congress against Pakistan . The summit marked a milestone in fostering a prosperous Pakistan, igniting actionable pathways for global trade and cultural unity.
In the last the beautiful Couple Bashir Qamar and his batter half Tasneem Qamar paid tribute to all PACOLI leadership and specially Farooq Mirza of 4thpillar for hosting such a great networking Event in the City .
Adam Azam General Secretary PACOLI made great impression anchoring the stage . He was very focused and vocal . He also narrated PACOLI ‘s mission statement . He is a future Sanator the Prince of Denmark predicted about him loud on stage .
The important event of the reception was award taking ceremony. PACOLI Chairman and 4thpillar President along with President PACOLI delivered awards to dignitaries and Participants . Awards were given to Adam Azam, Safdar Hamyyun, Shahid Ranjha , Arshad Hussain and Ms Tasneem Qamar by Rehan Naseem President, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce. The Chairman Bashir Qamar and President Tauqeer gave up awards to President Turkish Chamber , Korean Chamber , Rehan Naseem , Prince of Denmark , Farooq Mirza and Adnan Mehmood .
