New York: US Senator Bob Menendez’s Chief of Staff has assured the American Pakistani Public Affairs  Committee (APPAC) that the Biden administration will soon grant temporary legal status to Pakistanis living in the US.

After receiving TPS status, Pakistanis living in the US who do not have legal immigration documents will be given temporary legal status for a specific period, and the facility may extend further.

The American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee had an important meeting with the Chief of Staff of Senator Bob Menendez in this regard.

In this meeting APPAC Chairman Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, Board Member Dr. Inamul Haq, Mrs. Fakhira Haq, Dr. Mahmood Alam, Professor Faizanul Haq, Asad Chaudhary and Imtiaz Rahi were present.

In the meeting, Dr. Ijaz Ahmed informed Senator Bob Menendez Chief of Staff about the flood disasters in Pakistan.

In view of the flood situation, there was a detailed discussion regarding the provision of temporary legal status by the Biden administration and the Department of Homeland Security to Pakistanis living in the United States who do not have legal documents.

US Senator told the APPAC team that Bob Menendez along with his other congressional colleagues, has been in contact with the Biden administration on the issue of TPS for Pakistanis and is also doing special work on the issue.

He has assured that the Biden administration will soon give temporary legal status to Pakistan. After receiving TPS status, Pakistanis living in the US who do not have legal immigration documents are granted temporary legal status for a specified period. The status will be granted and extension is also possible.

APPAC expressed the expectation that Pakistan will be granted TPS status for at least three years in the first phase.

Earlier, Dr. Ijaz Ahmed said that one-third of the country has been subjected to flood water and destruction, more than 1500 citizens and 1.3 million cattle have been killed while the population of 30 million is affected by the flood so far.

He said the restoration will require billions of dollars.

ALI ABBAS

New York: Permanent Representative of Pakistan in UN Munir Akram said that Pakistan has so far contributed over 200,000 troops and police in 46 peacekeeping missions, and as many as 165 Pakistani peacekeepers paid the ultimate sacrifice in the great cause.

Addressing at the UNCOPS 2022, titled “Addressing key challenges facing United Nations peacekeeping through Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and A4P+” Munir said.

Peacekeeping is one of the cornerstones of the United Nations and an essential tool for creating lasting peace in war-torn societies. Pakistan proudly contributed over 200,000 troops and police in 46 peacekeeping missions, and 165 Pakistani peacekeepers paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Pakistani Policepersons have earned respect for their professionalism and devotion to duty under the UN Police banner. Pakistani Policewomen, Shahzadi Gulfam, was the first-ever recipient of the International Female Police Peacekeeper Award in 2011.

On behalf of Pakistan, Munir presented a set of proposals for the UN Police peacekeeping challenges:

The work of the United Nations Police is protecting people, preventing conflicts, and sustaining peace. This could only be achieved by the reforms and by developing the institutional capacity of the host state. UNPOL needs to be managed and resourced effectively to address security threats affecting global security involving organized crime, human trafficking, terrorism, and financial fraud.

He said closer coordination between the UN Police, the host government’s law enforcement machinery and the civilian population is essential to improve the efficiency of policing in the context of a mission.

While a rapid deployment of Formed Police Units instead of troops may be needed in certain contexts, such deployment should be based on clear and achievable mandates supported by adequate resources.

We should consider including police aspects in mediation and other dialogue processes, especially in situations where a lack of trust in the security sector is a root cause of grievance and conflict.

The selection criteria should be upheld rigorously to ensure the competence of peacekeeping police. The provision of better technology is mandatory for efficient PKOs. The early warning system should be enhanced, and peacekeepers are armed with proper equipment.

Peacekeeping is a shared responsibility. A spirit of mutual and respective responsibility is at the core of A4P, and nowhere is this more important than pursuing durable solutions to conflict and instability. The Security Council has been unable to develop political solutions to several old and new disputes, including the one where one of the oldest UN Missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, is stationed.

Pakistan has pledged an FPU and remains committed to further improving the performance of our police serving as individuals or part of formed units.

Pakistan steadfastly supports advancing the role and effectiveness of the UN Police to address the emerging challenges.

BY ALI ABBAS

NEW YORK: Permanent Representative of Pakistan in UN, Ambassador Munir Akram has said that climate change has had a severe impact on the lives of all Pakistanis as around 33 million people got affected by the ruthless floods that struck Pakistan with the government has estimated $10 billion in losses as of now.

Addressing the 2nd regular session of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS at the adoption of Pakistan’s UNFPA Country Programme Document (2023-2027), Munir said that the recent floods in Pakistan are another manifestation of Pakistan’s high-priced proneness to natural disasters caused by climate change.

Of the 33 million people affected across the country, he said an estimated 8.2 million are women of reproductive age. According to one estimate, Munir said almost 650,000 pregnant women in the flood-affected areas require maternal health services to ensure a safe pregnancy and childbirth.

Up to 73,000 women expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support.

We need to scale up the emergency response to provide life-saving reproductive health services and commodities to the affected population.

We hope UNFPA will work with us to mitigate the impacts of climate change, both now and in the longer term, especially on the young female population.

He said Pakistan appreciates the long-standing partnership and collaboration with UNFPA since the 1970s.

Highlighting the key features of Pakistan, he said the country has one of the world’s youngest populations. Almost 40% of the country’s population is under the age of 15. Among the female population, more than 48 million are in the reproductive age group. We are most conscious that our development policies, programmes and interventions must focus on equipping our population in an environment where every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Like other developing countries, Pakistan confronts structural and systemic challenges in providing the basic needs for development, including for our young people. The Covid-19 pandemic, spiraling prices of food and energy and security challenges, have severely constrained our ability to respond to the goals of ensuring the nutritional, health, and hygienic needs of the population, particularly of the most disadvantaged among them.

We take note with appreciation of Pakistan’s draft Country Programme for the period 2023 to 2027. During the process of formulating the programme, UNFPA has conducted extensive consultations, and has taken into consideration the priorities and concerns of all stakeholders at the national level. I am certain that such collaboration between Pakistan and UNFPA will be further strengthened at all levels.

He said close and continuous coordination between the Government and UNFPA will be indispensable for the successful implementation of Country Programme Document 2023-27, and to ensure the continuity of critical services and investments in the areas of maternal health, reproductive services and family planning in line with national laws and priorities.

Pakistan observes that out of the total US$ 59 million allocated for the Country Programme, only US$ 23 million is allocated through Regular Resources and  US$ 36 million is to be secured from co-financing and other resources. This indicates that around 60% of the financial resources would be met from extra-budgetary resources. We hope UNFPA will be able to secure the required funding from partners and donors to ensure the full implementation of the identified programme priorities.

A shared aim of the Government and UNFPA is to ensure that health governance systems embrace maternal health as a fundamental element. To achieve this, it will be necessary to improve availability of     high-quality reproductive health services, especially through sustainable and equitable financing for the most underserved communities.

Munir said that the role of nurses, midwives and lady health workers is critical in increasing the proportion of facility-based deliveries, and reduction of prolonged labour and childbirth complications. Therefore, it is critical to train and maintain midwifery cadres according to the global standards for midwifery education.

He added that prioritizing youth empowerment in policies will remain a cornerstone in addressing long-term challenges to sustainable development. For this, there is a need to scale up policy implementation and increase investments in the populations of adolescents and youth, particularly in healthy, education and skills development.

Munir was of the view that cultural particularities and sensitivities along with national priorities are taken well into consideration in implementation of the Programme Outcomes.

Ends

NEW YORK: Khawar Baig, a businessman and social figure of the Pakistani American community in New York, hosted a grand dinner reception at his residence in honor of Tahir Javed, Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Tahir Javed, a proud figure of the Pakistani community in America is visiting New York these days. He was invited for dinner by Khawar Baig at his residence.

The ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran.

Prominent personalities of the Pakistani community also participated in the dinner.

The host Khawar Baig introduced the chief guest Tahir Javed and the community to each other and welcomed them on their arrival.

The participants discussed in detail the importance and participation of the Pakistani community in US national and local politics.

On this occasion, Khawar Baig said our community is very active in business and social activities but does not participate effectively in politics. The community should follow Tahir Javed.

On this occasion, Tahir Javed shared various experiences of his political journey with the community. He urged the community to participate in practical politics.

Later, in a conversation with Voice of South Asia VOSA, he said that if we make ourselves strong in the local politics here, it will benefit Pakistan a lot at the global level.

All the participants agreed to keep their affiliation with the political parties of Pakistan while living in the US, but to participate in local politics of US is important. They stressed upon the need to exercise their vote in elections, so that better representatives can be elected.

Washington, 14 August 2022: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan has said that Pakistan was being positioned as an economic and transit hub and a meeting point for positive global interests.

“We are committed to making Pakistan a beacon of peace and prosperity in the region”, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

He was addressing Flag Hoisting Ceremony on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan which was attended by senior officials of US State Department, friends of Pakistan from the US, and a large number of the Pakistani diaspora.

The Ambassador hoisted the national flag to the tune of the national anthem.

Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador paid homage to the sacrifices of our forefathers for their vision and unparalleled sacrifices that ultimately resulted in the creation of a miracle called Pakistan. “Pakistan had a remarkable journey over the last 75 years. Despite external and internal challenges, Pakistan has moved forward to become a resilient nation”, observed the Ambassador.

Elaborating on the future vision of the country, the Ambassador said that Pakistan’s unique geographic location, demographic dividend, democratic orientation, rich human and natural resources clearly put the country in a unique position to realize its vision.

The Ambassador, on the occasion, highlighted close friendly ties with the United States and a robust partnership between the two countries in various critical sectors including trade, investment, regional connectivity, energy cooperation, people-to-people ties, education and cultural exchanges.

“We have been partners in making peace, building peace and keeping peace. We will continue to work with the U.S. for peace and prosperity in the region and beyond”, said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador said that the people of Pakistan have always had tremendous cultural affinity for the U.S. Our brightest young men and women aspire to study in U.S. colleges and universities through scholarship programs such as Fulbright. These Fulbright scholars have contributed tremendously to Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.

The Ambassador, on the occasion, also appreciated the role of dynamic and vibrant Pakistani American community in the US and their valuable contributions to the US politics, culture and economy. “They are a bridge between the two countries”, remarked Masood Khan.

A cake cutting ceremony was also held in connection with Pakistan’s independence day.

Elizabeth Horst, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary from State Department, speaking on the occasion said that the founders of both the countries ‘envisioned an independent and democratic free society.’

She reiterated that United States has always viewed a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan as essential for the interests of both the countries.

“We have fostered decades of collaboration between Pakistan and the United States. Among the challenges our two countries are jointly addressing are boosting trade development, the ongoing COVID-19, climate crisis, improving educational access and excellence and regional peace and stability”, Ms. Horst said.

Youth representatives and high achievers also spoke on the occasion.

Ms. Sania Alam, recipient of US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a coach for Speed Learning and Mind-mapping, and Dr. Qaisra Saeed, who scaled K-2 besides her other notable achievements, also addressed the gathering. The children also presented national song which was greatly applauded by the gathering.

New York: As Pakistan and USA are celebrating their 75th deepened bilateral relations, New York City Mayor Eric Adams hoisted Pakistan’s national flag on  75th Independence Day.

Organized by the American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG)  in collaboration with the New York City Mayor’s Office, Pakistanis and Americans gathered under one banner in the financial district of lower Manhattan’s Bowling Green Park and celebrated Pakistan’s independence day.

When the celebration began, New York City Mayor Eric Adams raised the green crescent flag together with Pakistanis.

Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Eric Adams said: “We want to make all nationalities feel that they are not strangers in this country and that is the uniqueness of America.”

While Ali Rashid, the head of APPAG, said in his speech that Pakistanis are the fourth largest immigrant community in New York and have always played their role in the development here.

Finally, the members of the New York State Assembly, who participated in the celebration of Pakistan’s independence, also expressed their views. They said that it is an honor to participate in today’s event, Pakistanis have done a lot for humanity during the Covid epidemic.

Jenifer Rajkumar said that her ancestors were also from the city of Multan in Pakistan.

Prominent personalities of the Pakistani community and their families also participated in the event. Addressing the participants, First Pakistani Commissioner and Chief Administrator Law Judge Asim Rehman, First Pakistani Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana and Head of Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) Muhammad Rizvi said that Eric Adams has fulfilled his promises that he made before being elected to include the immigrant community in his team.
On this occasion, Ayesha Ali, the second female Consul General of Pakistan in New York, said that she has been appointed as the first Consul General of Pakistan in the last thirty years.

In the end, Ali Rasheed, president of APPAG, said in a conversation with VOSA TV  that it is the first time in the history of New York that an elected mayor has hoisted the flag of Pakistan, it is a matter of pride for us.

Green T-shirts were also distributed among the participants in the Independence Day celebration and the participants raised loud slogans of Live Long Pakistan.

New York: Pakistan Muslim League-N USA chapter on Sunday celebrated the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, with national zest and fervor.

The mega event was held at the Muslim League House on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The ceremony was started with the recitation of Holy Quran.

PML-N leader Raja Razak presented Naat Rasool Maqbool.

A cake cutting ceremony was also held in connection with the Independence Day of Pakistan.

In the celebration of independence day of Pakistan, prominent figures of the community, including women and children, besides PMLN officials and workers, participated in large numbers and all of them sang the national anthem of Pakistan, together.

Addressing the participants of the event, Muslim League-N US chapter President Rohail Dar said that the Pakistani nation never liked dictatorship, the Tehreek-e-Insaf government was toppled according to the constitution, Imran Khan should account for his actions.

While Vice President Mian Fayyaz said that whenever the country faced trials, it was the Muslim League that got the country out of trouble.

On this occasion PMLN New York President Ahmed Jan felicitated the participants on the 75th Independence Day. In his address, he said that we are lucky to have been born in Pakistan, we all should not let the national interest get in the way of personal enmity, we have to protect this country.

In celebration of Independence, the Muslim League House was decorated with the national flag and green and white balloons. On this occasion, other PML-N leaders expressed their views and said that the political parties of the country should now unite and work for the development and prosperity of the country, now the politics of hatred should end, once and for all.

The participants said that today we are also remembering our Indian Occupied Kashmiri brothers on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

KARACHI: U.S Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome on Thursday visited the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum in Karachi – the port city and financial capital of the south Asian nuclear Muslim country, and extended felicitations to Pakistan on its 75th Independence Day.

He said United States values this long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to U.S. interests.

Ambassador Blome laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum and signed the guest book on behalf of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Blome later visited the tombs of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, and Fatima Jinnah, Jinnah’s sister .

The United States shares the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of a Pakistan of religious tolerance, economic prosperity and social inclusion and that is at peace with itself and its neighboring countries, says US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome.

“It was a great honour for me to be at the Mazar-e-Quaid to pay respects and commemorate his legacy,” Blome said.

“This year marks 75 years of bilateral relations between the United States and Pakistan. The United States values our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan and has always viewed a strong, prosperous, and democratic Pakistan as critical to US interests,” Blome was reported as saying by The News.

The US Embassy and Consulate in Pakistan posted on its officials website the following Examples of our long-standing cooperation with Pakistan

The United States has donated more than 77 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Pakistan, including 16 million pediatric vaccines recently pledged in Washington. This contribution is part of our ongoing solidarity with the people of Pakistan as they confront this devastating pandemic, and among the largest donations from the United States to any country worldwide.

In addition to vaccine doses, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government has provided nearly $70.4 million in direct support and $13.8 million in in-kind support to assist the Pakistani people in the fight against COVID-19. An additional $20 million in USAID funding is also planned to support vaccination efforts in Pakistan.

Our trade relationship with Pakistan has helped both Pakistani industries and consumers. The United States continues to be Pakistan’s top single country export destination.  Also, in the last fiscal year alone, U.S. direct investment in Pakistan increased by 50 percent, and is now the highest it has been in over a decade.  S. agricultural exports to Pakistan have grown from $287 million in 2014 to $1.3 billion in 2021.

In 2021, U.S. firms planted more than 600,000 trees in Pakistan to combat climate change and support climate adaptation measures. In 2022, the U.S. Mission to Pakistan collaborated with the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association to plant an additional 10,000 trees in Pakistan.

The United States has supported the addition of more than 4,000 MW of clean energy capacity in Pakistan, enough power for more than 47 million Pakistanis. S. firms are already making significant investments to help Pakistan provide expanded access to a cleaner, more resilient energy supply.  General Electric (GE) turbines and equipment are widely used in Pakistan, including wind-powered turbines that increase Pakistan’s renewable energy generation capacity.

With the support of the State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Affairs Bureau, Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force reported seizing 10 metric tons of morphine and heroin, 27 metric tons of opium, 71 kgs of cocaine, and 111 metric tons of hashish during the first 10 months of 2021 – denying revenue to drug trafficking organizations and terrorist groups.

We look forward to continuing our work with Pakistan to grow and expand our commercial and economic ties, expand our collaboration in education, improve access to renewable energy, and increase agricultural cooperation, between our countries.  We also look forward to more cooperation on integrating women into Pakistan’s economy.

New York: The United States (U.S) led by Joe Biden administration has expressed its readiness to resume the process to allow Pakistan International Airlines’ direct access to the US. 

It was informed by Salman Sufi, The Head of Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Strategic Reforms on Twitter.

Analysts told Vosa TV that the development, if materialized, will further deepen bilateral relations, and connectivity, besides easing the travel woes of thousands of passengers from both friendly countries.

“As part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s reforms, Direct flight access to the U.S market is pivotal for trade, Pakistan’s businesses & passengers. In a meeting held with senior US officials, U.S was pleased to share the readiness to resume the process to allow Pakistan direct flight access.” Salman Sufi told Twitter on July 28.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan has been the frontline ally of U.S in the years’ long Afghan War and has rendered hundreds of Thousands of lives in the US-led war against the global terrorism.  Both countries have been enjoying closed relations for the last seven decades. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were 554,202 U.S. residents of Pakistani descent living in the United States in 2019. This shows that US is one of the most favorite destinations for Pakistanis.

According to Pakistan Embassy US, the Head of Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms unit briefed US media on PM vision for strategic reforms & a roadmap to strengthen bilateral relations  with focus on tech, finance, economic, health, startups, climate change, energy &people to people contacts.

Salman Sufi met with US high-ranking officials, including Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Bureau of South and Central Asia Elizabeth Horst at the US Department of State, according to Geo News.

“The US side conveyed its readiness to have technical discussions with Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant departments and undertaking necessary visits for resumption of direct flights,” said a statement

According to The News International, Sufi while alking to the media on Thursday after his meetings with the White House National Security Council director Courtney Dunn and Direct International Economic Affairs, NSC, said his talks covered wide-ranging issues, including resumption of PIA direct flights to the US.

For the purpose, he also had a meeting with a delegation of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where he stressed to expedite the process for resumption of PIA direct flights from Pakistan to the United States.

He noted that New Islamabad Airport was well equipped as per international standards to meet the TSA’s requirements.

Sufi told the media that the US side conveyed its readiness to have technical discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant departments and undertake necessary visits for resumption of direct flights.

Express Tribune reported while quoting the FAA official website, “A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. This rating allows air carriers from that country to establish service to the United States and to carry the code of US carriers through codesharing arrangements.”

However, “Air carriers from countries with Category 2 ratings are not allowed to initiate new service to the United States, are restricted to current levels of existing service to the United States, and are not permitted to carry the code of US carriers on any flights. Currently, no airlines operate regularly scheduled flights between Pakistan and the United States.”

In 2020, Reuters had reported that Pakistan’s air safety rating was downgraded after the FAA raised concerns about pilot certifications.

Earlier in 2017, similar concerns about the country’s aviation safety were raised thereby resulting in an end to direct flights from Pakistan.

While in March 2019 the US had assured Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) of facilitating in carrying direct flights to the three major cities, including New York, Chicago and Houston.

However, in July of the same year, the US had stated that there had been no imminent plans for direct flights between Pakistan and the United States.

New York: Pakistan and United States (US) have reached an agreement for the promotion of futsal and the organization of bilateral competitions as the American team is visiting Pakistan this year in November to play a three-match bilateral series.

Futsal is an association football-based game played on a hard court smaller than a football pitch, and mainly indoors.

The American team will visit Pakistan in November this year

Officials of USA Futsal Federation and Pakistan Futsal Federation met in New York.

The federations of the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the promotion of futsal in their respective countries.

USA Futsal Federation President Mark Edward Brown has expressed his willingness to send his national team to Pakistan in the last week of November this year.

According to the agreement, a three-match series will be played between the US and Pakistan teams.

On this occasion, President of Pakistan Futsal Federation Hazrat Ali, Secretary General Malik Adnan and Secretary General of USA Futsal Federation Usman Ashfaq also participated in this meeting.

The leaders of the Pakistani and American federations said that bilateral competitions will give the game of futsal a boost, and to attract the new generation towards this game.