Exclusive By: KANWAL ABIDI
In a positive development, Mansoor Qureshi has become the first Pakistani-American to serve as an
Advisor to the Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. Qureshi is among those who are directly delegated
responsibilities by the Governor and he shall advise him on ways to enhance economic and cultural ties
between the Commonwealth and Asian nations – including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
VIRGINIA: Mansoor Qureshi becomes the first Pakistani-American to serve as an Advisor to Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, as he appointed him to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB).
Basically, the Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB) serves as a formal liaison between the administration and the diverse and rapidly growing Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the Commonwealth. Qureshi said: "I am honored to serve on this esteemed board and contribute to Virginia’s growth and development.”
Well known to the Pakistani community in Virginia – Qureshi is an all-rounder, humble and dynamic personality – encircling around to be an entrepreneur as Recruitment Talent Partner.
"My top priority is to address issues faced by different communities and ensure those in need are assisted by the Governor," Qureshi said.
He is also the anchor of the TV program Capital Corner. With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, 17 years in staffing and recruitment and a decade in digital media and broadcasting, he is recognized as a respected community leader and advocate for economic and cultural growth.
Hence, praising newly-appointed personalities including Qureshi, Governor Youngkin said he was confident that their leadership would help the administration strengthen the spirit of Virginia and achieve remarkable progress for the Commonwealth.
In various media talks, Qureshi thanked Governor Youngkin for reposing trust in his abilities to serve the state.
He underscored the importance of community work and looks forward to working with Governor Youngkin and my fellow board members to address the needs of our diverse communities and strengthen ties with Asian nations!" On his part, Qureshi will advise the governor on ways to enhance economic and cultural ties
between the Commonwealth and Asian nations including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
His vital focus will be "areas of commerce and trade, art and education and general government; as well as issues affecting the Asian community in the Commonwealth." Talking about Virginia, Qureshi said that doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs belonging to the community of Pakistani Muslims and Indian Muslims – are the most educated and powerful; hence they play crucial roles in the State economy.
Further, he added. "Yet, they are not politically active. They least know how to get their issues resolved or seek [the] government help in bad times." In order to bridge this gap, he vowed to serve as a liaison between different communities and the Governor.
Quoting figures from a Muslim organization, Qureshi said that out of 400,000 Muslims living in Virginia, 250,000 are registered voters.
As far as Pakistani Americans are concerned, their registered voters are around 40,000. Qureshi says that these numbers can play a decisive role in State assembly or State Senate election He remarked that ethnic minorities hailing from Asia are unhappy with the current educational system that is "making it mandatory for young students to study extreme liberal ideologies". Further he said, “In living rooms, they also lament about discrimination, but prefer to stay at home on the polling day," he added.
The governor's aide also stressed that ethnic and religious minorities should play an active role in politics and seek internships or jobs at the offices of the legislatures.
Qureshi is also actively involved in H-1B visa debates as he gathers view points from the Pakistani community in Virginia, on H-1B system.
