Category: pakistan

  • New York: Suffolk County Executive Republican candidate Ed Romaine has said that once elected he would ensure public safety and control inflation, on a priority basis, while the South Asian community will play an important role in his administration.

    Addressing a press conference at the headquarters of the Suffolk County Republican Party, Ed Romine said that he has been working as a county clerk for 16 years, and as a legislator, and supervisor for 11 years, and that he understands what issues the country has been facing.

    The big problem we are facing right now is to eliminate crime and ensure the safety of our people, the second problem is to control inflation and we want to make the county affordable for people.

    “We all came from different places,” Ed Romaine said. We are a nation of immigrants. One issue that is controversial today is that our borders are open. We don’t have a well-thought-out immigration policy where people can come into our country and then integrate into society.

    In response to a question, Ed Romine said, “People should come out of homes and vote. If you’re sick or out of town, you can vote online. You’ll be told all the voting sites. I encourage everyone to get out.” I will encourage you to vote.

    Ed Romaine said during the press conference that Muslims in Long Island have a problem with the cemetery, everyone should have the right to bury their dead, we are also working to solve this problem.

    If I win this election, I will have 40 days to form a government; our city has 1.5 million people. This is one-third of the county’s population. And we need qualified people to help us run the government.

    During the press conference, Suffolk County District Attorney said, “I am committed to the safety of all citizens of Suffolk County.” Our federal immigration policy is inconsistent and ineffective.

    Pakistani community social figure Raja Hassan said on the occasion of the press conference that we will be waiting for the support of the Republican candidate Ed Romaine for the November 7 Suffolk County Executive polls.

    Raja Hassan told reporters that our district is the largest district in Long Island Pacific County.

    Ed Romaine will be the voice of all parties, we are good Americans, we are hardworking, law abiding citizens. Now, is the time to take our community to the next level where we engage in the political process.

    The post Public safety, inflation control to be on a priority: Suffolk County Executive candidate Ed Romaine first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • New York: Like every year, the American Council of Minority Women (ACMW), a social organization consisting of Pakistani American women, celebrated the fourth annual Day of Dignity on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City.

    Various items were distributed among more than five hundred families in collaboration with Islamic Relief USA. Volunteers participated overwhelmingly and filled the stalls with winter essentials for the needy.

    ACMW Chairperson Baza Ruhi and representative of Islamic Relief USA said that every year it is an effort to do something for our community without hurting anyone’s self-esteem.

    On the Day of Dignity, a team of doctors examined the patients, fresh food, warm clothes, children’s school kits and hygiene products were distributed to the needy in the queues.

    On this occasion, Pakistani Consul General Amir Ahmad Atozai said that the Pakistani community has always made the nation proud by coming to the aid of the needy.

    On the Day of Dignity, Assemblyman Robert Carroll, Councilwoman Farah Louis, Councilwoman Rita Joseph, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Deputy Public Advocate Kashif Hussain also came to lend a hand in this good cause.

    The American officials appreciated this effort of ACMW and called it admirable.

    The American politicians inspected all the stalls, met the doctors and volunteers, got information from them and also encouraged them.

    In the end, the American Council of Minority Women presented certificates of appreciation to its volunteers and journalists in recognition of their services.

    The post ACMW marks Day of Dignity in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • New York: The 50th birthday of Sadia Malik, daughter of Dr. Mazhar Malik a well-known business and social personality of the Pakistani community and niece of Dr. Muhammad Khalid was celebrated with great fanfare in New York.

    The Golden Jubilee ceremony began with the recited from the Holy Quran at a local restaurant.

    Dr. Mazhar Malik’s family members, close relatives, loved ones and friends participated in the ceremony in large numbers.

    On this occasion, Dr. Mazhar Malik and Dr. Muhammad Khalid expressed good wishes for their daughter Sadia Malik.

    They said that our daughters are our assets.

    Special guest Sadia Malik expressed her happiness on seeing fifty springs of life and attributed her achievements to her parents.

    On this occasion, the host treated the guests with different types of food. Later everyone extended their felicitations to Sadia Malik on her 50th birthday and cut the cake together.

    The event also featured music ceremony. When Dr. Muhammad Khalid awakened the magic of his voice, everyone was surprised and delighted.

    The family members of Sadia Malik, who participated in the birthday celebration, also expressed their views and shared various memories.

    On this occasion, famous singer Khalid Baig, who came from Pakistan, presented many songs to the fans on their request.

    The post 50th birthday of prominent businessman Dr. Mazhar Malik’s daughter held in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • New York: The New York City government celebrated the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

    A large number of the South Asian community attended the ceremony held at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

    As the Mayor’s Office celebrated the Moon Festival, Mayor Eric Adams distributed certificates of appreciation to the South Asian community.

    This festival is a part of Chinese culture and is celebrated every year in the month of September when the moon is full.

    On this occasion, Mayor Eric Adams awarded the New York Police Department’s Muslim Officers Society (MOS) President Deputy Inspector Adeel Rana and other professionals associated with different departments with certificates of appreciation for their excellent services to the community.

    On this occasion, Adeel Rana said that the development of the city and maintaining peace here are among our top priorities. There has always been an effort to improve the relationship between different communities and the police, he said.

    The post NYC Govt. celebrates the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • New York: The mother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s senior leader Ali Khayyam Shakir passed away after heart attack, in New York, last night.

    The 66-year-old Nazir Begam had come to Brooklyn, New York to meet her daughter from North Carolina a few days back.

    Upon hearing the news of her death, her son Ali Khayyam Shakir rushed to New York from North Carolina and took his mother’s body to Al Riyal Muslim Funeral Services for religious rituals.

    On hearing the news of the death of Ali Khayam Shakir’s mother, PTI members reached Coney Island Avenue and expressed their condolences to their friend on the death of his mother, offered condolences to him and prayed for the deceased’s forgiveness.

    After Maghrib prayer, his mother’s funeral prayer was offered in Makki Masjid, in which a large number of the community participated.

    Imam Qari Osama, in a short speech advised the people that this world is mortal, we all should live a life that leads to success in the hereafter.

    The post PTI leader Ali Khayyam Shakir’s mother passes away after cardiac arrest in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a massive public diplomacy op launched at the recent G20 summit in New Delhi, complete with a memorandum of understanding signed on 9 September.

    Players include the US, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the EU, with a special role for the latter’s top three powers Germany, France, and Italy. It’s a multimodal railway project, coupled with trans-shipments and with ancillary digital and electricity roads extending to Jordan and Israel.

    If this walks and talks like the collective west’s very late response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched 10 years ago and celebrating a Belt and Road Forum in Beijing next month, that’s because it is. And yes, it is, above all, yet another American project to bypass China, to be claimed for crude electoral purposes as a meager foreign policy “success.”

    No one among the Global Majority remembers that the Americans came up with their own Silk Road plan way back in 2010. The concept came from the State Department’s Kurt Campbell and was sold by then-Secretary Hillary Clinton as her idea. History is implacable, it came down to nought.

    And no one among the Global Majority remembers the New Silk Road plan peddled by Poland, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Georgia in the early 2010s, complete with four troublesome trans-shipments in the Black Sea and the Caspian. History is implacable, this too came down to nought.

    In fact, very few among the Global Majority remember the $40 trillion US-sponsored Build Back Better World (BBBW, or B3W) global plan rolled out with great fanfare just two summers ago, focusing on “climate, health and health security, digital technology, and gender equity and equality.”

    A year later, at a G7 meeting, B3W had already shrunk to a $600 billion infrastructure-and-investment project. Of course, nothing was built. History really is implacable, it came down to nought.

    The same fate awaits IMEC, for a number of very specific reasons.

    Map of The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

    Pivoting to a black void 

    The whole IMEC rationale rests on what writer and former Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar deliciously described as “conjuring up the Abraham Accords by the incantation of a Saudi-Israeli tango.”

    This tango is Dead On Arrival; even the ghost of Piazzolla can’t revive it. For starters, one of the principals – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman – has made it clear that Riyadh’s priorities are a new, energized Chinese-brokered relationship with Iran, with Turkiye, and with Syria after its return to the Arab League.

    Moreover, both Riyadh and its Emirati IMEC partner share immense trade, commerce, and energy interests with China, so they’re not going to do anything to upset Beijing.

    At face value, IMEC proposes a joint drive by G7 and BRICS 11 nations. That’s the western method of seducing eternally-hedging India under Modi and US-allied Saudi Arabia and the UAE to its agenda.

    Its real intention, however, is not only to undermine BRI, but also the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INTSC), in which India is a major player alongside Russia and Iran.

    The game is quite crude and really quite obvious: a transportation corridor conceived to bypass the top three vectors of real Eurasia integration – and BRICS members China, Russia, and Iran – by dangling an enticing Divide and Rule carrot that promises Things That Cannot Be Delivered.

    The American neoliberal obsession at this stage of the New Great Game is, as always, all about Israel. Their goal is to make Haifa port viable and turn it into a key transportation hub between West Asia and Europe. Everything else is subordinated to this Israeli imperative.

    IMEC, in principle, will transit across West Asia to link India to Eastern and Western Europe – selling the fiction that India is a Global Pivot state and a Convergence of Civilizations.

    Nonsense. While India’s great dream is to become a pivot state, its best shot would be via the already up-and-running INTSC, which could open markets to New Delhi from Central Asia to the Caucasus. Otherwise, as a Global Pivot state, Russia is way ahead of India diplomatically, and China is way ahead in trade and connectivity.

    Comparisons between IMEC and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are futile. IMEC is a joke compared to this BRI flagship project: the $57.7 billion plan to build a railway over 3,000 km long linking Kashgar in Xinjiang to Gwadar in the Arabian Sea, which will connect to other overland BRI corridors heading toward Iran and Turkiye.

    This is a matter of national security for China. So bets can be made that the leadership in Beijing will have some discreet and serious conversations with the current fifth-columnists in power in Islamabad, before or during the Belt and Road Forum, to remind them of the relevant geostrategic, geoeconomic, and investment Facts.

    So, what’s left for Indian trade in all of this? Not much. They already use the Suez Canal, a direct, tested route. There’s no incentive to even start contemplating being stuck in black voids across the vast desert expanses surrounding the Persian Gulf.

    One glaring problem, for example, is that almost 1,100 km of tracks are “missing” from the railway from Fujairah in the UAE to Haifa, 745 km “missing” from Jebel Ali in Dubai to Haifa, and 630 km “missing” from the railway from Abu Dhabi to Haifa.

    When all the missing links are added up, there’s over 3,000 km of railway still to be built. The Chinese, of course, can do this for breakfast and on a dime, but they are not part of this game. And there’s no evidence the IMEC gang plans to invite them.

    All eyes on Syunik 

    In the War of Transportation Corridors charted in detail for The Cradle in June 2022, it becomes clear that intentions rarely meet reality. These grand projects are all about logistics, logistics, logistics – of course, intertwined with the three other key pillars: energy and energy resources, labor and manufacturing, and market/trade rules.

    Let’s examine a Central Asian example. Russia and three Central Asian “stans” – Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – are launching a multimodal Southern Transportation Corridor which will bypass Kazakhstan.

    Why? After all, Kazakhstan, alongside Russia, is a key member of both the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

    The reason is because this new corridor solves two key problems for Russia that arose with the west’s sanctions hysteria. It bypasses the Kazakh border, where everything going to Russia is scrutinized in excruciating detail. And a significant part of the cargo may now be transferred to the Russian port of Astrakhan in the Caspian.

    So Astana, which under western pressure has played a risky hedging game on Russia, may end up losing the status of a full-fledged transport hub in Central Asia and the Caspian Sea region. Kazakhstan is also part of BRI; the Chinese are already very much interested in the potential of this new corridor.

    In the Caucasus, the story is even more complex, and once again, it’s all about Divide and Rule.

    Two months ago, Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan committed to building a single railway from Iran and its ports in the Persian Gulf through Azerbaijan, to be linked to the Russian-Eastern Europe railway system.

    This is a railway project on the scale of the Trans-Siberian – to connect Eastern Europe with Eastern Africa and South Asia, bypassing the Suez Canal and European ports. The INSTC on steroids, in fact.

    Guess what happened next? A provocation in Nagorno-Karabakh, with the deadly potential of involving not only Armenia and Azerbaijan but also Iran and Turkiye.

    Tehran has been crystal clear on its red lines: it will never allow a defeat of Armenia, with direct participation from Turkiye, which fully supports Azerbaijan.

    Add to the incendiary mix are joint military exercises with the US in Armenia – which happens to be a member of the Russian-led CSTO – cast, for public consumption, as one of those seemingly innocent “partnership” NATO programs.

    This all spells out an IMEC subplot bound to undermine INTSC. Both Russia and Iran are fully aware of the former’s endemic weaknesses: political trouble between several participants, those “missing links” of track, and all important infrastructure still to be built.

    Turkish Sultan Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his part, will never give up the Zangezur corridor across Syunik, the south Armenian province, which was envisaged by the 2020 armistice, linking Azerbaijan to Turkiye via the Azeri enclave of Nakhitchevan – that will run through Armenian territory.

    Baku did threaten to attack southern Armenia if the Zangezur corridor was not facilitated by Yerevan. So Syunik is the next big unresolved deal in this riddle. Tehran, it must be noted, will go no holds barred to prevent a Turkish-Israeli-NATO corridor cutting Iran off from Armenia, Georgia, the Black Sea, and Russia. That would be the reality if this NATO-tinted coalition grabs Syunik.

    Today, Erdogan and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev meet in the Nakhchivan enclave between Turkiye, Armenia, and Iran to start a gas pipeline and open a military production complex.

    The Sultan knows that Zangezur may finally allow Turkiye to be linked to China via a corridor that will transit the Turkic world, in Azerbaijan and the Caspian. This would also allow the collective west to go even bolder on Divide and Rule against Russia and Iran.

    Is the IMEC another far-fetched western fantasy? The place to watch is Syunik.

  • Originally published at The Cradle.
  • This post was originally published on Dissident Voice.

  • New York: Kashmiris and Sikh community members staged a protest demonstration outside the UN headquarters against human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), amid the Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s speech at the 78th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    Despite the heavy rain and freezing winds, a large number of people participated in the demonstration and exposed India’s extremist face to the global media and international community.

    On this occasion, senior Kashmiri leaders Ghulam Nabi Fai and Sardar Sawar Khan said that the United Nations has not fulfilled its promise it made in its resolutions to the Kashmiris.

    On this occasion, the protesters chanted slogans against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his oppressive army.

    The protestors said that for the past seventy-five years, India has been inflicting atrocities on the oppressed Kashmiris.

    On this occasion, the Sikh community also strongly protested against the extreme policies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    Protesters also raised slogans in favor of freedom for Khalistan and against the recent killing of a Sikh leader in Canada.

    On this occasion, the Sikh protesters said that the extremist face of India has been exposed to the whole world by the killing of the Sikh leader in Canada.

    The Indian Prime Minister and his secret agency RAW are involved in this murder, they alleged.

    The protesters demanded the international community to take serious notice of Indian atrocities and its terrorist policies and pressure them to resolve the Kashmir issue.

    The post Kashmiris, Sikhs hold demo outside UN Hq, against HR violations in IOK, amid Indian EAM’s speech in UNGA first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Dallas: US Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said that the U.S. is offering internship opportunities for Pakistani-American students to acquire quality education.

    She invited Pakistani American youth to pursue internships at the Washington DC and District levels. In this regard, the Pakistani American Political Action Committee (PAKPAC) will guide them and formulate the procedure.

    Jasmine Crockett, speaking as the guest speaker at a fund-raising event organized by the PAKPAC Dallas chapter in Dallas, Texas, said: “I have a very good idea that many people in America don’t vote because of foreign policy.” But this process is not correct, she stressed.

    In order to urgently solve the supply-chain problems since the Covid-19 pandemic, she said the US has revised its trade policy under which trade can be done with any country in the world, but China will not benefit the US supply chain system.

    Countries around the world are welcome in the field of technology. The United States wants developing countries to work together with.

    She added that the United States has been a supporter of human rights and national sovereignty around the world, which is why the US supports Ukraine and is providing them with all possible assistance.

    But on the other hand, the United States has a close eye on China, which wants to occupy the land of Thailand and Taiwan in the style of Russia. She said China’s naval fleet is on the sea border of Taiwan, which is a clear proof of China’s ambitions.

    She said: we strongly opposed to hate-based bills. Even if the Republican Party passes a bill based on hatred in the House, it will be rejected by the Senate and the President too will not sign any such bill.

    Congresswoman said that the current government’s focus is on public issues, we are against gun violence and want to create comprehensive laws for it, we want to reduce the per capita cost of health, improve the quality of life of the American people.

    On this occasion, Syed Hussain, President-Elect of PAKPAC Texas while talking to Voice of South Asia (VOSA) said that we invited Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett today to discuss trade cooperation between Pakistan and the United States with her.

    He said that Congresswoman has indicated that a delegation of Congress members will visit Pakistan soon, which will help in strengthening the relations between the two countries.

    Haroon Siddiqui, President of Pak Pac Dales Chapter, said that I am extremely grateful to Dr. Rao Kamran who cooperated with us in organizing this wonderful event and invited the Congresswoman.

    Today, the event was a pleasant one in which we asked the Congresswoman various questions while she offered internships to our high school and college graduates, which is a welcome initiative for the Pakistani community.

    A large number of Pakistani Americans from different walks of life in Dallas were present on this occasion.

    While PAKPAC Central President Dr. Rao Kamran Ali besides Youth Wing representatives were also present on this occasion.

    Rao Kamran informed the audience about the political journey and activities of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett and assured her of full cooperation and support from PAKPAC in the upcoming elections.

    The post U.S. offers internships for Pakistani-American students: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: The 35th birthday of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was celebrated at a local restaurant in Coney Island Avenue –  the Little Pakistan in New York in which the party officials and community members participated in great numbers.

    Speaking at the ceremony, the President of the People’s Party America chapter Khalid Awan said that honor and glory are in the hands of Allah, the position Bilawal Bhutto is in today is God’s gift, and we sincerely hope that he will lead the party forward successfully.

    Senior PPP leader Javed Akhtar, who came from Pakistan, said that when Bilawal was born, we were in jails, but even on that happy occasion, party leader Benazir Bhutto remembered us.

    MNA Yusuf Baloch from Pakistan thanked the organizers for being a part of the event.

    In addition to local colleagues of the party, community members also participated in the event. Social leader Azra Dar said that Bilawal is a ray of hope for Pakistan, and we are hopeful that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is not only the future of PPP but also of Pakistan.

    Other women who participated in the event also expressed their best wishes for Bilawal on his birthday.

    On this occasion, the participants of the event said that they will walk side by side with the party chairman for the strength and stability of democracy in Pakistan.

    In the ceremony, Qaiser Bhutta, who joined the People’s Party, parting ways with PTI, was also notified as Media Coordinator PPP.

    On this occasion, the participants cut Bilawal Bhutto’s birthday cake together and prayed for long life and health and safety of the party chairman.

    The post PPP-USA celebrates Bilawal Bhutto’s 35th birthday first appeared on VOSA.

  • UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to ensure implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir in letter and spirit, saying India is committing sheer human right violations on Innocent Kashmiris for the last 7 decades.

    While addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly session, Pakistan’s caretaker PM said that the resolution of long-standing Kashmir dispute is key to maintain peace in the region, including Pakistan and India.

    He blamed India for committing violations of UN resolutions on Kashmir that call for the ‘final disposition’ of Jammu and Kashmir to be decided through UN-supervised plebiscite.

    The PM discussed on range of issues including cross-border terrorist attacks against Pakistan by Afghanistan-based TTP; the Palestine tragedy; the threat posed by far-right groups like Hindutva-inspired extremists, the flood devastations in Pakistan, and the issue of Islamophobia.

    He said that Pakistan always desires peaceful and productive relations with all our neighbours, including India, However India on the other hand is hell bent upon committing human right violations in Occupied Kashmir.

    The PM said Pakistan condemns the cross-border terrorist attacks against the country by terrorist organizations such as TTP, Da’esh and other groups operating from Afghanistan.

    He also called the international community to support Afghan people in this tough time.

    Pakistan’s PM also highlighted the Islamophobia saying it has been an age-old phenomenon; however, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, it has assumed epidemic proportions, as manifested in the negative profiling of Muslims; and attacks on Islamic sites and symbols, such as the recent public burnings of the Holy Quran.

    The PM also sought help from the International Community to cope with the 2022 floods that struck Pakistan leaving thousands people including women and children dead, besides causing more than $30 billion damages to national economy.

    The post Pakistan desires peaceful ties with all neighbours, including India: PM Kakar tells UNGA first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: A delegation of Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) met with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar in New York.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar has expressed his belief that Pakistani-American immigrants will contribute to the socio-economic development of Pakistan through their remittances, investments and welfare works.

    The Prime Minister asked the delegation to invest in the fields of health tourism, medical and paramedical education, training and skill development in Pakistan.

    He appreciated APPNA’s positive role in promoting Dr. Arshad Rehan’s message of unity and solidarity among the Pakistani-American community, including APPNA’s social welfare, educational and medical relief missions and programs in Pakistan.

    Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that more than one million Pakistani-Americans are an asset of Pakistan and their role in the national development of the country is fully recognized.

    The Caretaker Prime Minister said that immigrants are the real face of Pakistan in America and a valuable bridge to further strengthen Pakistan-US relations.

    He assured the delegation of the government’s firm commitment to provide facilities to Pakistanis living around the world.

    APPNA President Dr. Arshad Rehan thanked Prime Minister on hehalf of members for meeting and briefed the PM about APPNA’s ongoing work in social welfare, education and medical sectors in Pakistan.

    The post APPNA delegation meets caretaker PM in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blackman officially announced the construction of a world-class cricket stadium in Nassau County for the T20 World Cup 2024.

    The project’s legal affairs are being overseen by Nassau County Deputy County Attorney Sheharyar Ali.

    Speaking at a press conference in Eisenhower Park, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blackman said, “I am proud to lead Nassau County.”

    Our partners have a huge hand in making this project possible. In Nassau County, every possible effort will be made to promote healthy activities in the future, while all facilities in the cricket stadium will also be ensured.

    Nassau County Legislator Candidate and Deputy County Attorney Sheharyar Ali will oversee the legal affairs of the cricket stadium project.

    Shahryar Ali does not hold any public office but he always puts forward his services for the betterment of the community.

    Chaudhry Akram, a prominent and active community leader in Nassau County, will be instrumental in establishing the cricket stadium. Chaudhry Akram is always active in the services of the Pakistani community.

    United Cricket Club official Asim Malik, Long Island United Cricket Club official Babar Zia and Commonwealth President New York Ajit Bhasker thanked the Nassau County Executive and said that the establishment of a cricket stadium will promote cricket as well as the community. Youth will get a chance to come forward.

    Senior Program Coordinator Office of Asian American Affairs Nassau County Aun Naqvi said that the announcement of the construction of international level cricket fields in Nassau County in collaboration with the International Cricket Council and Nassau County has brought joy to all cricket fans.

    There was also a question answer session where apart from cricket fans, a large number of the community also participated in the event.

    The post State-of-the-art Cricket stadium to be constructed for T20 World Cup 2024 in Nassau County: Bruce Blackman announces first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: As the holy month of Rabi-ul-Awwal begins, Muslims across the United States have started celebrations of the Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi peace be upon him (PBUH), with religious zest and fervor.

    The annual Milad-un-Nabi procession was held in Jackson Heights under the umbrella of the Muslim Coalition of New York.
    The eighth annual Eid procession took place from 72 Street Broadway in Jackson Heights neighborhood which was led by religious scholars.

    A large number of political, social and business figures of the Pakistani American community participated in the procession.

    The famed Naat Khuan Muhammad Asghar Chishti, who participated in the procession, presented Naat-e-Rasool PBUH, with his beautiful voice.

    The procession passed through its designated routes and reached Kabab King, where a conference was held in connection with the Eid-Milad-un-Nabi.

    The post Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi celebrations begin in U.S. first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has reached United Nations headquarters and he is attending the welcome reception being hosted by the UN Secretary General in honor of the world leaders, besides other important meetings and functions.

    He is representing Pakistan at the Opening of the 78th UNGA General Debate at the UN headquarters.

    The Prime Minister will spend a busy day in New York today, as he is set attend the high-level meeting on Global Development Initiative today, and address the participants of the meeting.

    The Prime Minister will also participate in the high-level summit on Sustainable Development Goals and address the participants of the meeting.

    The PM is also expected to meet Iran’s President Seyyed Ibrahim Raisi and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

    Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar will also attend the dinner being hosted by US President Joe Biden in honor of world leaders.

    The post Pakistan’s caretaker PM attending UNGA meeting, other important conferences first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Workers and Supporters of Pakistan’s currently beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have yet again begun their political struggle in the U.S. to press the incumbent interim government for the release of their imprisoned leader – the cricketer-turned-politician – Imran Khan, ahead of the general elections.

    The protesters have this time chosen the artery just outside the White House – the U.S. President’s residence in Washington D.C. to raise their voices in favor of their leader.

    The protest was started with the recitation of the holy Quran.

    To participate in this protest, Imran Khan’s workers from New York, New Jersey, Dallas, California and Chicago and other cities left in the form of rallies in cars and reached in front of the White House where this protest turned into a large rally.

    The main organizer of this protest and senior leader of PTI America, Junaid Bashir, also known as Jhony Bashir, addressed the audience and said that Imran Khan’s history has been that he has never bowed before and will not bow in the future.

    He said seeing IK’s popularity, former US President Trump said to Imran Khan that I wish I was as popular as you.

    The participants were very excited, and they chanted slogans for the release of Imran Khan. Pictures of Imran Khan, PTI flags and green crescent flags of Pakistan were seen everywhere during the protest.

    Speaking to the participants on this occasion, Junaid Bashir added that Pakistan is a democratic country, but its fruits are not being transferred to the people. There is an obstacle in the way.

    Sajjad Burki, the close associate of Imran Khan, who participated in the protest rally, warmed the blood of the participants by raising slogans during his speech.

    Later, Sajjad Burki and the PTI workers participating in the rally took an oath that they will never be a part of any kind of conspiracy against the independence and sovereignty of Pakistan.

    Not only young boys and girls of PTI participated, but women, men and elderly as well as children also came in large numbers with their parents.

    On this occasion, PTI’s senior leader Shehbaz Gill expressed his opinion and said that we are more afraid of our own people than foreigners. Our only crime is that we supported Imran Khan, for which we were declared traitors.

    The post ‘Release Imran Khan’ PTI-US chapter begins political struggle ahead of general polls first appeared on VOSA.

  • NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that City Hall and other municipal buildings will be lit yellow tonight as part of Falls Prevention Awareness Week for older adults.

    Falls Prevention Awareness Week is an annual event observed in early fall to raise awareness about the serious harm trips and falls can cause to older adults.

    “Since day one, our administration has been proud to put policies in place that ensure older New Yorkers can live independently and safely,” said Mayor Adams in a statement that appeared on the Official Website of the City of New York.

    “Falls Prevention Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to come together as a city and inform our older residents about the ways they can keep themselves safe and prevent themselves from falling, while simultaneously continuing to be a national example of how to be an age-inclusive city,” he said.

    “As part of making New York City the most age-inclusive city in the world, this week we are recognizing Falls Awareness Prevention Week,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Whether you yourself are an older adult or know a loved one who is, there are many safe, effective steps to take to limit the risk for falls. Reach out to the Department for the Aging and local community organizations to learn more about these strategies and help us keep every older adult that calls New York City home safe and healthy.”

    “Lighting up City Hall and other municipal buildings across the city yellow tonight for Falls Prevention Awareness Week shows Mayor Adams’ commitment to making New York City the model age-inclusive city across the nation,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez.

    The post City Hall, other NYC buildings to be lit yellow in honor of falls prevention awareness: Eric Adams first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: The South Asian community in New York staged a protest demonstration seeking justice to Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian-origin student who was allegedly killed by a police vehicle in the American state of Seattle.

    Ms Kandula, 23, was allegedly hit by a police vehicle driven by an officer when she was crossing a street on January 23. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call, as per a report that appeared on NDTV.

    The protest was held at the Diversity Plaza in New York.

    The participants held a candlelight vigil and raised slogans in memory of Jaahnavi Kandula.

    The protesters demanded the government to bring those responsible for Jaahnavi’s death to justice.

    The South Asian community living in New York is saddened and depressed over the alleged death of Indian-origin student Jaahnavi Kandula. after being hit by a speeding police vehicle.

    Not only Indian Hindu Sikhs participated in this demonstration, but Pakistani, Nepali and other community members also participated and recorded their protest.

    The speakers said that this incident cannot be ignored by declaring it as an accident, the police officer involved in illegal speeding should be dealt with according to the law.

    The protestors were carrying banners, placards and pictures of Jaahnavi in their hands. The speakers said that Jaahnavi was a bright and capable student, the government is demanded to fulfill the requirements of justice in this case.

    The protesters further said that if legal action is not taken against the police officer involved in this incident, then we should understand that the justice system has died in this society. 

    The post Demo held as probe continues into death of Indian-origin student in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: The South Asian community in New York staged a protest demonstration seeking justice to Jaahnavi Kandula, an Indian-origin student who was allegedly killed by a police vehicle in the American state of Seattle.

    Ms Kandula, 23, was allegedly hit by a police vehicle driven by an officer when she was crossing a street on January 23. He was driving at 74 mph (more than 119 kmh) on the way to a report of a drug overdose call, as per a report that appeared on NDTV.

    The protest was held at the Diversity Plaza in New York.

    The participants held a candlelight vigil and raised slogans in memory of Jaahnavi Kandula.

    The protesters demanded the government to bring those responsible for Jaahnavi’s death to justice.

    The South Asian community living in New York is saddened and depressed over the alleged death of Indian-origin student Jaahnavi Kandula. after being hit by a speeding police vehicle.

    Not only Indian Hindu Sikhs participated in this demonstration, but Pakistani, Nepali and other community members also participated and recorded their protest.

    The speakers said that this incident cannot be ignored by declaring it as an accident, the police officer involved in illegal speeding should be dealt with according to the law.

    The protestors were carrying banners, placards and pictures of Jaahnavi in their hands. The speakers said that Jaahnavi was a bright and capable student, the government is demanded to fulfill the requirements of justice in this case.

    The protesters further said that if legal action is not taken against the police officer involved in this incident, then we should understand that the justice system has died in this society. 

    The post Demo held as probe continues into death of Indian-origin student in NYC first appeared on VOSA.

  • KARACHI: An art exhibition titled ‘Resurgence: A Kaleidoscope of Dreams’ was held at the SBP Museum in Karachi on September 13, 2023.

    The exhibition aimed at celebrating the 75-year journey of SBP and Pakistan’s national development, and provided a platform to talented young artists from across the country to envision a progressive future.

    In his speech, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Inayat Hussain said that art has an enchanting ability to capture the essence of the times we live in. Appreciating the high standard of the artwork in the exhibition, he noted that as we traverse through the various pieces displayed, we can vividly observe how the young artists have interpreted and responded to the changing world around them.

    He congratulated members of the selection committee and organizers of the event for gathering creative talents from all parts of the country for demonstration of individualism and versatility.

    Dr. Hussain went on to add that the exhibition encapsulated the spirit of Pakistan’s past, present and future and underscored the importance of diversity. He elucidated the array of styles, mediums, and perspectives represented here mirrors the diversity that enriches our society. He pointed out that such exhibitions not only provide opportunity for art lovers to appreciate the works of younger generation, but also act as stimulus to the progress and development of local art. Dr. Hussain showed his gratitude to all participating artists who showcased the diverse artistic talent in their special mediums. At the end of his address he declared the exhibition open. The exhibition will remain open to the general public for two weeks from its opening day.

    The exhibition showcases the exceptional talent of emerging artists, hailing from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. Through diverse artistic expressions, the young artists incorporated the essence of Pakistan’s cultural heritage, social progress, and aspirations of people of Pakistan.

    It may be noted here that the artists were encouraged to submit artworks in various mediums such as paintings, sculptures, and mixed media. The title of the exhibition, ‘Resurgence: A Kaleidoscope of Dreams’ portrays the spirit of Pakistan’s past, present, and future. The participating artists interpreted the exhibition theme in their own unique style, highlighting the collective resilience, growth, and hopes of the nation.

    Artists across the country took keen interest for participation in the event. A jury comprising of eminent personalities from across various disciplines short listed the art pieces based on creativity and unique messages. A large number of media persons, city elites, bankers and art lovers attended the exhibition and admired the artistic work displayed. The art lovers were of the opinion that organizing such exhibitions was need of the hour.

    The post SBP holds a unique Art Exhibition to Commemorate 75 years of its inception first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: New York police raided the busy sidewalks of Lower Manhattan and seized $35 million worth of counterfeit goods that were being sold with fake tags of some famous brands.

    As many as 18 suspects were arrested during the operation. Police said the under-arrest suspects are accused of trademark forgery.

    Among the confiscated goods are bags with fake tags of famous brands Gucci, Louis and Chanel, glasses and caps with fake tags of Prada, and various brands.

    According to the New York Police Department, the crackdown came after receiving numerous complaints from the community and business owners about counterfeit goods.

    There are reports that illegal sales have been witnessed at the said location for years.

    New York police have vowed to continue cracking down on illegal sales.

    The post NYPD seizes $35m worth counterfeit goods with fake tags of famous brands first appeared on VOSA.

  • Monday, September 11, 2023 marked the 22nd Anniversary of the NYC 9/11, a day of global mourning, the beginning, or activation, of a crime of biblical proportions like never before in history remembered. Activation stands for onslaught of a colossal War on Humanity. What the small supremacist elite calls War on Terror is nothing less than an endless war on mankind. A war waged by a death cult. The preparation for the war started decades or probably hundred-plus years before.

    Two planes hitting the twin towers of the NYC World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001 – probably remote-controlled – because most pilots admit this kind of close-curved maneuver necessary to hit the towers was impossible to carry out by a pilot.

    The world was told the perpetrators were a group of some 12 Saudi terrorists. An outright lie. One of the first ones – to be followed by countless others – all in the name of instilling fear to control mankind, to eventually upgrade the war to a killing machine – leading onto the infamous UN Agenda 2030, alias the Great Reset, and the all-digitizing, QR-code -crowned Fourth Industrial Revolution, what Klaus Schwab, WEF’s founder and CEO proudly claims as his brainchild.

    Who else could come up with a new world order based on linearism, digitalized transhumanism, 180-degrees opposite of what life, the universe is – an infinite multitude of dynamism – life in multiple dimensions, evolving naturally as a cog in the universe’s endless wheel?

    Right there on NYC’s 9/11, more than 3000 people were killed. Thousands more followed in the immediate aftermath.

    The third building that collapsed a day later – seemingly out of the blue – was apparently ripe with documented evidence of the crime. Almost silence by the media.

    And to this day, nobody knows what happened to the people on the plane that apparently crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania. No debris and no people were ever found. Here too, no media coverage, no investigation – just destined to be forgotten.

    What happened to the dozens of policemen and firefighters who were near the WTC towers and in their basements, reporting on hearing explosions underground and in the lower strata of the extremely solid constructions just before they collapsed in the well-known style of purposeful city demolition techniques? Most of them were never seen again. “Victims” of the accident?

    Overall, since the NYC-9/11 millions of people were killed in the aftermath of the trigger to the so-called war on terror, which, in fact, was meant to be — and is — a war on humanity.

    The onslaught of wars began. The US invasion of Afghanistan, barely a month after the suspected auto-coup of the 9/11 Twin Towers implosion. The pretext was Osama Bin Laden, an Al Qaeda CIA recruit, who, the George W. Bush Administration lied, having orchestrated the 9/11 attack from Afghanistan, had to be eliminated by invading the mountainous and resources-rich Afghanistan landlocked in the center of Asia.

    Al Qaeda was a CIA creation of the late 1980’s, already then as an instrument to justify the coming war on terror.

    True reasons for invading Afghanistan were several: The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Gas Pipeline, also known as Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline, or TAPI Pipeline, was to bring natural gas from the world’s second largest gas fields in Galkynysh, Turkmenistan, discharging 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year to the Gulf of India. Washington wanted control over this largest gas transit, potentially disrupting US petrol giants market dominance.

    The ever-closer relations between Afghanistan and China were a thorn in the eyes for US political supremacy, and finally the extreme mineral riches especially rare earths, vital for production of electronics and chips used for military equipment as well as for multiple civilian uses.

    Afghanistan was the first “leg” on the endless “War on Terror”.

    The Afghanistan invasion was followed by the May 2003 Iraq invasion, one of the hydrocarbon richest countries in the Middle East, with a leader, Saddam Hussein, who was at the point of defying OPEC rules of trading hydrocarbons in US-dollars only. Saddam wanted to trade Iraq’s hydrocarbons in Euros. Iraq was also labeled an al Qaeda terrorist country.

    A “Shock and Awe” attack should eliminate the country’s leader and bring Iraq to her knees before the almighty US of A. By now we know that it did not exactly happen that way. It was probably also planned as an endless war.

    Iraq – another “War on Terror” – emanating from the 9/11 auto-attack.

    Syria. From 2011 forward Washington’s secret service created a “civil war” applying the principle of divide to conquer. In September 2014 the conflict culminated in the US intervening, siding with the [US-created] Syrian rebels, fighting the Islamic State, the so-called “Operation Inherent Resolve” in what was labeled international war against the Islamic State.

    In truth, Washington wanted to get rid of the highly popular and democratically elected Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad. Again, the interest was control over the large Syrian oil and mineral resources.

    Also, under the flag of “War on Terror”.

    Coincidentally – though, there are no coincidences – the Ukraine war also started in [February] 2014, by the US instigated coup against the democratically elected Viktor Yanukovych. Remember Victoria Nuland’s recorded phone conversation with the US Ambassador in Kiev – “f**k Europe”?  And the recent admission by NATO boss, Jens Stoltenberg, that the Ukraine War started already in 2014?

    Other US-initiated wars and conflicts followed.  In Sudan in 2006 / 2007 after the broken Darfur Peace Agreement; in Pakistan in 2011 under the pretext and on the heels of several targeted killings in Karachi, leaving hundreds of people dead. US presence never left the country, as Pakistan was attempting establishing closer relations with China.

    To the “war on terror” may also be counted the October 2011 US / French / NATO lynching of Libyan President, Muammar Gaddafi, leaving the country as of this day in a state of constant civil strife and mafia-like killings and enslavement of refugees. Gaddafi was about to introduce the Gold Dinar as a unified currency for Africa to liberate Africa from French and US/K currency exploitation.

    The NYC 9/11 was — and is — a war instrument that until this day has not been fully recognized as what it was supposed to be – a precursor to possibly the planned final phase for civilization as we know it, the UN Agenda 2030, alias The Great Reset, leading to the full digitization of humanity into transhumanism and simply a One World Order (OWO), run by full control via digitization of everything, complemented with Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    It is the plan. A scary plan, a plan with the purpose of instilling fear. Thus, it is hoped, making the population defenseless against a tyrannical take-over.

    This plan will not materialize.

    Lest we forget, it is important to point out that there was another 9/11 “event” 50 years back that took place in Chile. It also killed instantly hundreds of people, and over the following 16 years, until General Pinochet’s demise in March 1990, tens of thousands of people disappeared and were killed.

    The purpose of the US-instigated and Henry Kissinger executed military coup in Chile was to get rid of the “uncomfortable” democratically elected, socialist-leaning, President Salvador Allende so that the United States could implement and test a “Chicago Boys” designed neoliberal economic system to run an entire country. Later to be repeated throughout Latin America, a remedy to make sure Latin America would keep their US “Backyard” status, for a long time to come.

    The “Chicago Boys” were a group of Chilean and international economists, most of whom were educated in the 1970s and 1980s by arch-conservative Milton Friedman at the Department of Economics of the University of Chicago.

    Also, not to forget, the major coup planner and instigator, was the then Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, under Richard Nixon’s presidency. Kissinger later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his alleged peace efforts in the Vietnam war which he also “directed”, and following his ordered bombing of Cambodia and Laos to bloody rubble with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of deaths. Remember the infamous “Killing Fields” in Cambodia?  Well, that was also Henry Kissinger, arguably the most notorious war criminal still alive.

    Earlier this year, Henry Kissinger turned 100. This could be natural old age, or it could be old age enhanced by adrenochrome.

    Is it sheer coincidence that the Santiago Chile and the NYC Nine-Eleven massacres are exactly 50 years apart? A half a century.

    There are no coincidences. Just connecting the dots.

    As a reminder 911 is the emergency-call number in the United States. That is hardly a coincidence.

    Kissinger is a close buddy, ally and advisor of Klaus Schwab, CEO of the controversial World Economic Forum (WEF). As of this day, Kissinger’s advice is sought by leaders around the world.

    In July 2023, Kissinger was received by China’s President Xi Jinping, who apparently greeted Kissinger with a comment, “old friends” like him will never be forgotten. The irony is subtle. The US-initiated meeting was apparently meant to mend frayed ties between Washington and Beijing.

    A tremendous attribute for President Xi. He is always open for initiatives potentially leading to improved relations, harmony, and peace.

    Back to NYC-9/11

    What we, especially the western world’s humanity, currently are living is a colossal crime never seen and recorded before in known history.

    After 9/11 for many, and for a long time for most, flying has become a nightmare and a huge business for a few. The long security lines, the manual checking – often more reminiscent of groping – of passengers, who often for some medical reasons, have a hard time passing through the control machines without the red-light flashing.

    The first US Secretary of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge and associates, became insanely rich by launching the manufacturing of the airport security machines that were imposed worldwide, and which are being constantly upgraded.

    Backtracking 

    9/11 sparked “wars on terror” – alias on humanity — that may have had several phases of activation.

    The Club of Rome, first unofficially meeting in 1956 in Rome, was formally created in 1968 as an initiative of David Rockefeller with Aurelio Peccei, Alexander King and Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, founder and President of Africa’s Agang party, and others.

    The Club of Rome issued in 1972 the infamous report “Limits to Growth” (LTG), arguing against continued economic and population growth, setting the first marks for a massive eugenist agenda, a population reduction down to about 500 million people from today’s 8 billion-plus, a reduction of about 95%.

    Dennis Meadows, one of the main authors of the Club of Rome’s “The Limits of Growth”, is a member of the World Economic Forum. He propagates as of this day massive population reduction. See this.

    This eugenist plan is as of this day the blueprint for what we are living. It is the core for UN Agenda 2030, the Great Reset and All-digitization.

    From it was born covid, the worldwide coercive vaxx mandate, possibly more lab-made “viruses” to come, as well as the climate change hoax, justifying geoengineering of weather, causing droughts, floods, never-seen-before hurricanes and tornadoes, Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) caused forest and other fires, like the destruction of Lahaina on Maui, and others – all bringing about poverty, famine, misery, and death.

    Closing the circle with NYC’s 9/11 setting the stage 22 years ago.

    There is no waiting. We must resist with heart and soul and peaceful spirits. We shall never forget 9/11 and what it triggered, and we shall overcome.

  • New York: Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram has confirmed that the Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar is participating in the forthcoming 78th annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

    He said this in a press conference at the Pakistan Consulate.

    Addressing a press conference Munir Akram said that Pakistan’s representation in the annual General Assembly of the United Nations is essential.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar Haq Kakar is coming to attend the General Assembly meeting. Caretaker Prime Minister’s visit to America will be very busy, Prime Minister will participate in 5 summit meetings.

    Munir Akram said that wherever international meetings are held, Pakistan’s non-participation in them does not create a good impression at the international level.

    Prime minister, foreign minister, whoever is the person, they represent Pakistan on international forums.

    Whoever will be the Prime Minister will present the interests of Pakistan to the world leaders in the General Assembly session, he said.

    In response to a question, Munir Akram said that how a delegation will come from Indian Occupied Kashmir, they have been locked up, the people of Occupied Kashmir will be represented by a delegation from Azad Kashmir.

    The post Pakistan’s caretaker premier to attend UNGA meeting: Munir Akram confirms first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • Dallas: Pakistan is ripe for investmen. We are inviting investments from the United States and the Gulf region,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States.

    “China is already making investment through CPEC projects. We have invited Gulf region to participate in extractive industries and they are partnering with many European and North American firms. This is creating a huge opportunity for more investment in Pakistan. Since the infrastructure is there, so step into that market,” he said.

    “Don’t hold back. Invest in Pakistan with full confidence,” he added.
    Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks at Pak America Business Forum (PABF) Annual Award Banquet 2023 here in Dallas.
    The Ambassador thanked Chairman PABF Waqar Khan, President Anwer Azam and other PABF members for providing him with the opportunity to highlight business potential of the country.

    He also acknowledged Texas State Rep. Mr. Salman Bhojani, Mayor Richardson Mayor Bob Dooley, Mr. Shamsul Aarifeen, Abdul Khabir and others for their presence in the event.

    Addressing leading businessmen and entrepreneurs, Masood Khan said that with the presence of 80 US enterprises, there already existed a vast infrastructure in Pakistan for investment. “What you have to do is to scale up and there are ample opportunities available within that in Pakistan,” he said.

    To streamline business activities and investment, the Ambassador suggested establishment of a forum, either in Dallas, Houston or any other part of the United State,s to address specific issues related to regulatory regime in Pakistan, ease of doing business in the country, repatriation of profits and other issues that are confronted by the business community and potential investors.
    The Ambassador highlighted mining sector, agriculture, education, health, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, biotechnology which were opening up to the world and offering huge dividends to investors and business community.

    Highlighting decades long partnership between Pakistan and the United States, the Ambassador observed that Pakistan, a fragile state at its inception, chose the United States over others as its friend. “More importantly, the United States chose Pakistan,” he said.

    “As Pakistani-American continue to come to the United States, they enrich the landscape of Pakistan and they continue to build bridges between Pakistan and the United States,” he observed.

    He said that Pakistan was a country of a great potential. “We would be amongst the top ten economies and the strongest countries in the world. That is the determination not only of our leadership but most importantly of the people of Pakistan,” he said.

    He told the audience to dismiss all negative chatters about the country. Inviting them to personally visit the country and witness its potential, the Ambassador highlighted that there were more than 82 million people comprising middle class of the country. He said the country was making progress in many sectors.

    “I am not saying that we are a utopia but we not a dystopia either,” observed the Ambassador.
    He assured the audience that the country would emerge successful in overcoming its present challenges as it did in the past.

    Recalling unwavering support of Pakistani-American community, he said that Pakistani American have always stood with Pakistan. They will continue to support Pakistan and its economy with their investment and positive contributions.

    Noting the presence of around one million Pakistanis in the United States, the Ambassador advised Pakistani-American to launch themselves as a community and make bridges between Pakistan and the United States even stronger.

    The post Pakistan is ripe for investment: Masood Khan first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: New York City has decided to cut overtime of the employees of some four departments responsible for the security of New York with an aim to mitigate the rising immigrant expenses.

    The departments include New York Police Department, Fire Department, Sanitation Department, and Department of Corrections.

    Fire department NYC

    Mayor Eric Adams’ budget director, Jacques Jiha, has told the city’s four uniformed agencies — police, fire, sanitation and corrections — to come up with plans to slash their OT costs.

    This plan will cover only two-thirds of the expected expenses of the migrants. The memo states that uniformed agencies must submit monthly reports to City Hall to review progress toward meeting overtime spending and reduction targets.

    Now the Adams administration will issue a directive to implement the measure to cut overtime. The order comes after New York’s financial problems caused by the constant influx of immigrants.

    Department of Sanitation

    The plan also calls for a freeze on travel outside of Washington, D.C., and a ban on purchases of new equipment and contracts.

    Patrick Hendry, head of the Police Benevolent Association, the city’s largest police union, rejected the idea of cutting overtime costs as unjust, saying it would be impossible for the NYPD to significantly reduce overtime because We already have fewer police officers but we are still struggling to bring crime back to pre-2020 levels.

    The New York Police Department’s overtime budget exceeded $700 million last year, drawing criticism for the high costs of police overtime.

    On the other hand, a political affairs expert has termed this move as a big political ploy and said that Eric Adams wants to run for re-election in 2025 so it is a political game.

    It is noted that Mayor Eric Adams announced a 15% cut in the budget of all city departments yesterday.

    The post NYC to slash OT of four uniformed agencies, amid immigrant crisis first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Americans Council of Minority Women (ACMW) in collaboration with the United Health Care has distributed school supplies among five hundred children on Coney Island Avenue in New York.

    Sschool notebooks, colors, pencils and other stationery items were distributed among children in the ACMW’s 15th Annual School Supplies Distribution ceremony.

    On this occasion, ACMW chairperson Baza Roohi while talking to Voice of South Asia said that her organization has been distributing school supplies to children for the past fifteen years.

    We feel more joy in this philanthropic work will continue in coming years as well, she promised.

    Babar Munir, the representative of United Health Care, said that ACMW’s cooperation is very long-lasting and the purpose of distributing supplies to children under this program is that the children who cannot buy stationary items can easily benefit from this opportunity.

    Ahmed, the general secretary of the American Council of Minority Women expressed the hope of continuing this program every year.

    Children and their parents expressed their utmost joys while receiving the gifts and stationery items.

    The post ACMW, UHC distribute school supplies among 500 children first appeared on VOSA.

  • NEW YORK: Muslim Entrepreneur Association (MEA) and New York GrowsTogether, distributed school bags and supplies to students as part of the annual Bellerose Back to School program.

    The annual back-to-school program hosted by Abdul Rahman was organized by the Muslim Entrepreneur Association and New York GrowsTogether in front of the Bellerose Library in Long Island, New York.

    Abdul Rahman has been a resident of Bellerose for a long time and is often engaged in various activities for the community.

    On this occasion, Abdul Rahman said that we all need to come together in such activities to make children strong in the field of education

    We are here today working together on the back-to-school program, he said.

    Students and parents who benefited from the program also appreciated this initiative.

    On this occasion, Councilwoman Linda Lee said that such activities are very important for students before schools open. She said children need school supplies the most, and joint action by everyone, including ACNA Relief, is highly appreciated.

    Assemblyman David Weprin was also present at the back-to-school program, along with representatives from Apna Brooklyn Community Center and ICNA Relief.

    The post Back to school program: MEA, NY GrowsTogether distribute school supplies among students first appeared on VOSA.

  • KARACHI: Pakistan Wednesday celebrated ‘National Defence Day’ with reverence and effervescent spirit to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Shuhada, Ghazis and national heroes who stood against the enemy with unparalleled display of unity and tenacity during the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

    The day dawned with a 31-gun salute at the Federal Capital and a 21-gun salute at all provincial capitals.

    Spe­cial prayers were offered after Fajr in mosques for the progress and prosperi­ty of the country and inde­pendence of Illegally Occu­pied Jammu and Kashmir from the cruel clutches of India.

    Fateha and Quran Khawani were also held for the martyrs.

    President Dr Arif Alvi and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar have said that amidst Pakistan facing mul­tiple security challenges of extremism, terrorism and external aggression, the entire nation stood united alongside the Pakistan De­fence Forces to thwart evil designs against the integ­rity and prosperity of the country, according to local news agencies.

    Chair­man Joint Chief of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and Armed Forces of Paki­stan have paid rich tribute to the martyrs, their fam­ilies and war veterans on the 58th Defence and Mar­tyrs’ Day.

    It was on this day in 1965 that the Indian forces had crossed in­ternational border in the darkness of night to attack Pakistan, but our valiant Armed Forces backed by the entire nation foiled nefarious de­signs of the enemy.

    The day displayed the spirit of unity and sacrifice in the defence of our motherland and glorifies the indomitable bond of the Nation and the Armed Forces to stand together in the face of adversity and belligerence.

    The post Pakistan marks National Defence Day with reverence first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.

  • New York: Thousands of Muslim devotees in New York attended the Procession of Chehlum-e-Imam Hussain – the grandson of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, and his loyal companions who rendered their lives for the noble of cause of Justice, humanity and glory of Islam, in the soil of Karbala.

    The main mourning procession started from Franklin Avenue in Queens and ended at its designated venue.

    Like every year in New York, this year too, the Jafaria Council USA and Jafaria Youth organized the Chehlum Procession, remembering the eternal sacrifice of the martyrs of Karbala for the elevation of the religion of Islam, their Chehlam was observed with great devotion and respect.

    Addressing the Majlis-e-Aza which was held after the Namaz-e-Zohrain in congregation at Franklin Avenue in Queens area, Maulana Sheikh Fazil shed light on the incident of Karbala and mentioned the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his martyrs.

    Later, the twenty-seventh annual Central Mourning Procession of Chehlam, along with Shabeeh-e-Alam and Zul-Janah and other pilgrimages came out from the main road of Franklin Avenue. Youth, men and women including children and elderly people participated in the procession in thousands.

    On this occasion, the organizer of the procession and the president of Jafriya Council USA, Raja Abid Numbardar, and the president of Jafriya Youth of New York, Ammar Yasir Numbardar, said that twenty-seven years ago, this procession was started, which takes place every year now. He also rejected the controversial bill passed by the Pakistani parliament, recently.

    Niaz was distributed at different places and Sabeel was also set up in memory of the martyrs of Karbala.

    the procession reached its final point after passing through its traditional routes, followed by a Majlis-e-Aza. The scholars said that it is the commandment of Allah almighty to always support the oppressed and to stand against the oppressors of every era.

    In the Chehlum procession, the mourners burst into tears after the religious scholars described the atrocities inflicted on the martyrs of Karbala by Yazid’s army.

    The scholars said that the incident of Karbala has distinguished between the right and wrong, truth and evil, once and forever.

    The participants of the procession kept beating their chests on loud sorrowful poems (Nohas) chanting slogans like Labbaik Ya Hussain (AS) till the culmination of Alam procession at its destination.

    The post Chehlum of Imam Husain (AS) observed in NYC, with religious reverence first appeared on VOSA.

  • DALES: Pakistan Society of North Texas (PSNT) held ‘the Quaid Mela’ as part of Pakistan’s Independence Day in Dales with national zest and enthusiasm.

    Like every year, this year too, a large number of Pakistani community gathered in Quaid Mela. The stalls of Pakistani clothing, jewelery and food items were the center of attention of the attendees.

    Famous singers from Pakistan gave outstanding performance with presenting colors of music. Renowned singers Komal Rizvi and Elizabeth Roy presented such a magic with their melodious voices that left the audience in awe. Pakistani Americans living in Dales expressed their devotion and love for their homeland.

    Renowned entertainment promoters Hiba Entertainment collaborated with the musical show. Pakistan’s famous actor Hasan Soomro, RJ of local radio, and Abid Baig, General Secretary of PSNT, administrated the event proceedings.

    On this occasion, PSNT President Salman Tabani and Vice President Ghalib Hussain while talking to Voice of South Asia said that Pakistan Society of North Texas is the largest organization of Pakistanis here, which organizes the Azadi Mela, famously known as the Quaid Mela every year on the Independence Day of Pakistan.

    We are grateful to the governing body and board of trustees for organizing a successful fair. This year, due to Muharram, the fair was held with little delay. We thank the community for supporting us. We will continue to do such events in the future.

    Chairman of PSNT Board of Trustees Dr. Riaz Haider said that we are all gathered here in the love of our dear motherland and are celebrating Pakistan’s independence with enthusiasm.

    The participants in the fair showed great enthusiasm. The female participants said that they are far from Pakistan, but Pakistan is very close to their hearts.

    Singers Shery Raza and Faisal Akhtar, who came from Pakistan in the Quaid Mela, set the tone of the music and the audience danced to their songs.

    The participants of Quaid Mela were seen in national dress who were showing their love for the dear country by hoisting the green halal flag.

    On this occasion, member Board of Trustee of PSNT Abid Malik said that the governing body of PSNT deserves felicitations for organizing this successful fair.

    The entire team headed by Salman Tabani has worked tirelessly to make the event successful. He congratulated the entire Pakistani nation on Independence Day.

    Singer Komal Rizvi, presented songs, children did not stay behind, but rather they reached the stage and presented great tableaus.

    The children participating in the fair had their faces painted with the national flag and were seen enjoying Pakistani food. It has been serving the community for years and celebrates Pakistan’s Independence Day every year with the same enthusiasm.

    Hafeez Khan, Chairman of Pakistani American Business Forum and member Board of Trustee of PSNT, said in his address: “we celebrate two festivals every year with great enthusiasm, one on March 23 and the other on August 14.” This is a proof that we love our dear country even abroad.

    Speaking on the occasion, Nasir Siddiqui, head of Hiba Entertainment, said that his company has always been at the forefront of creating entertainment opportunities for the Pakistani community and is proud to serve in this flagship event of PSNT.

    Earlier, while thanking Voice of South Asia, he said he is extremely grateful to the entire team of Voice of South Asia who have always supported the community and are here today to promote Azadi Mela.

    He also said that Voice of South Asia has become the most watched community TV in America. We pray that this TV will continue to grow in the same way.

    At the end of the ceremony, distinguished personalities were awarded with awards in recognition of their services.

    The post PSNT’s Quaid Mela in Dales brings together colors of Pakistan first appeared on VOSA.

  • New York: Ballroom dancer Ilona Kaydanov lost her life while her 2 brothers sustained injuries after a car plowed into the pedestrians on Long Island, the police said.

    They were hit by a car while running on the side of a Long Island road Thursday morning.

    It has been learned that Ilona was a talented dancer and a student of Stony Brook University.

    According to the police, the accident took place around 8:20 in the morning when Ilona Kaydanov was walking with her brothers when a car driver hit her and her brothers. As a result, Ilona died on the spot while her two younger brothers, Dennis, 20, and Joseph, 13, were taken to South Shore University Hospital for treatment, where their condition is said to be out of danger.

    The news of the sudden death of the young dancer left his friends and teachers quite depressed. Ilona’s dance instructor said, “she was like a daughter to me as she was a talented dancer as well as a wonderful human being.

    According to the police, the car driver and the two passengers, a 44-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man remained unhurt in the accident.

    Police have impounded the vehicle and started an investigation, but no charges have been announced against the driver yet.

    The post Ballroom dancer killed as a car hits her in Long Island: Police first appeared on VOSA.

    This post was originally published on VOSA.