Dubai international seminar to show up contributions of Pakistan diaspora

[LahoreEstate]

Dubai international seminar to show up contributions of Pakistan diaspora

* Pakistani envoy says government appreciates role being played by expatriate countrymen for development of their countries of residence

ISLAMABAD: An international seminar being convened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), this month will highlight the achievements of Pakistani expatriate residents in the Middle East.

According to the sources in the Foreign Office, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, and Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal will attend the seminar along with leading expatriate Pakistanis based in the UAE and the Middle East.

The sources said the seminar was being convened in February as part of a global campaign launched by the Pakistan government to highlight Pakistan’s positive image internationally and to highlight the achievements of the Pakistani diaspora for the country of origin. They said the event also aimed at paying tribute to Pakistani expatriates for their contributions across the globe.

The sources said the prime minister had assigned the task to Pakistan's ambassador at large Javed Malik, who was organising the Middle East seminar in Dubai under the banner of the Pakistan International Council (PIC).

Javed Malik told APP the seminar was part of wide-ranging efforts to promote a positive image of the country through working with leading expatriate Pakistanis, and the Friends of Pakistan forum.

Appreciation: "The new democratic government of Pakistan appreciates and acknowledges the role being played by expatriate Pakistanis for the development of their countries of residence. It also aims at recognising their efforts for their country of origin, Pakistan. Moreover, this also pays homage to the Friends of Pakistan for their supportive role globally for Pakistan, and we are working to ensure that their contributions and efforts are recognised and appreciated,” the ambassador said.

"The Pakistan International Council will be an umbrella organisation that will establish friendship societies in each country to focus on promoting cultural ties between the people of Pakistan and other countries. It will also establish business associations in each country that would foster business and commerce ties between Pakistani businessmen and those in other countries," Malik said.

He said networking opportunities would also be created through the media, sports and arts. "We are also planning a non-resident Pakistanis convention in Islamabad under the patronage of the prime minister with a view to developing a better understanding of their issues and giving them a role in nation building,” he said. app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_40