A “Brainstorming Session” and dinner were organized by Pakistani American Congress at the Elite Banquet Hall in Sugar Land, Texas on April 2nd, 2021 to carve to the vision and political future of the Pakistani-American and Muslim-American Community in the US. This a rare occasion that Presidents of 16 community major organizations’ Met under one roof, on one table, and at one forum for the unity of purpose and passion to lead our community. It was an impressive display of unity and belonging to one proud community. The audience comprised distinguished scholars, professionals, intellectuals, political activists, and also candidates running for public offices.
Among dignitaries Congressman Troy Nehls, Texas State Rep. Jacey Jetton, and Hon. Abrar Hashmi, the Consul General of Pakistan was the Chief Guest.
A Prominent & highly decorated community leader, activist, and President of Houston Karachi Sister Cities Association Mr. Saeed Sheikh superbly performed as the Master of Ceremony. The event started with a beautiful invocation by Dr. Mazhar Mahmood in the name Allah and His words from the Glorious Qur’an.
National anthems of the US & Pakistan were played. President of Pakistani American Congress Dr. Ashraf Abbasi gave the welcome address and also shared the rich history and achievements of PAC with the audience.
Congressman Troy Nehls & State Rep Jacey Jetton received PAC “Spirit of Freedom” Awards and the Chief Guest Consul General of Pakistan Abrar Hashmi received the “Torch- Bearer” Award on behalf of the Pakistani Community and participating galaxy of 16 community organizations. All three VIP guests made a presentation admiring the role played by the Pakistani-American community both here in American and also supporting the country of their origin Pakistan. They preserved their culture and values they brought from Pakistan. The brainstorming session was moderated by Ghazanfer Hashmi TV Anchor and President of the Center for dialogue on Public Diplomacy.
He was a very candid, articulate professional getting all three main resolutions approved & adopted with minor amendments for the next proposed conference for further streamlining and brushing up for taking action. The salient features of resolutions of brainstorming session are as follow,
- Need of forming a “Council of Political Empowerment” to oversee changing political landscape of America for minorities, especially for Pakistani & Muslim Americans.
- Forming of “Evaluation Committee” to bringing forward to best of the Best of candidate our community for public offices with special focus on women and youth involvement.
- Concept of paying homage to the founding father of Pakistan by building a Statue of M.A. Jinnah. Following the suit of London Mayor Muhammad Sadiq.
- Shifting of Pakistan Center from Bissonnet ghetto to an open field 20-50 acres land in outskirts of City of Houston. To have a Multipurpose complex with Pakistan mall, for the celebration of weddings, health clinic, battered-women counseling clinic, Nikkah, Meena Bazaar, Eid Festivals, Pakistan days, animal sacrifices for Eid ul Adha, for all occasions and all type events entertaining and bonding the community.
- Link up innovation, research, and educational centers of higher learning and scholarship between Pakistan & the USA.
Student exchange programs for students and scholars among Pakistani and US Universities. Dinner was great; an Array of Pakistani sumptuous dishes and a variety of desserts were served to the guests. The session was adjourned with the vote of thanks followed by an announcement to have followed up conference after Ramadan to build consensus for further line of action.
The event was attended by prominent community leadership including M.J.Khan, Haroon Sheikh, Dr Arman Raza, Abdul Rauf Khan, Akhtar Abdullah, Dr Asif Qadeer, Gul Fraz Khan, P.J. Khan Swati, Dr Javed Ashraf, Salman Razzaqui, Dr Hina Azam, and Media.
The PAC event was a Community Collaborative of Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), Houston Karachi SisterCities Association (HKSCA), Hazara American Welfare Association (HAWA), House of Charity (HOC) International Academy of Letters-USA (IAOL), Ibn Sina Foundation (ISF), Pakistan Association of Greater Houston (PAGH), Pakistani American Volunteers (PAV), Pakistani American Voters Association (PAVA), Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA (PCC-USA) and Pakistani American Congress (PAC).
