The Pakistani-American community on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to the United States government for attaching importance to the matter of students from Pakistan. In this behalf, the community representatives drew attention towards the thought-provoking article written by the US Ambassador to Pakistan, entitled 'a great place to study.'
In a letter addressed to Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, the Congressional Pakistan Caucus Executive Director said he appreciated importance, the US government attached to Pakistani students, and that, the envoy was "taking practical steps to increase enrolment from Pakistan."
Faiz Rehman referred to the then Ambassador-designates remarks, when he met the Pakistani American community in Washington DC, prior to his departure for Pakistan. "The fact that you have made higher education in Pakistan, one of your priorities, is quite refreshing."
Of admission of Pakistani students in the US, he said, the drop- the first in 30 years and as big as 23 percent in some US universities- "has been blamed also on harsh treatment meted out to foreign students at our airports, immigration counters and some schools."
"I really appreciate your initiative and a comprehensive Dawn article on it, but at the same time, I'm sure, your office must be working with the Department of Homeland Security to review some procedures which have helped alienate so many potential students from our great educational institutions," he stated.
Faiz said, he knew several cases, where Pakistani students were "unjustifiably targeted for severe punishment, including deportation for minor infractions," adding the purpose of his feedback was to help my country's valuable institutions and help some fellows from the country, I was born in.
Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (Pakpac) has welcomed Ambassador Crocker comments saying:" His comments regarding the encouragement to Pakistani students to pursue and continue education in the US are greeted by the Pakistani American community and their organisations."
The organisation has welcomed the increase in the fellowships for Pakistani students, and said it was encouraged at the use of the new Sevis (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) program, which electronically linked the college and university admission process directly to the US consular offices around the world.
"This program should ensure that the key information about the student admission flows smoothly and quickly. In the recent years, there have been an increasing number of Pakistani students who have difficulties obtaining visas despite obtaining admissions in some of the best universities in the US."
"The process should be made much more efficient to allow appropriate decisions to be made in less than two weeks time. In the recent past, many individuals had to wait for many months for such clearances, thus taking away critical time from their educational careers. Such slow procedures also lead to loss of tuition fee paid by these individuals, their time of graduation and any in many instances people end up being away from their families."
The Pakpac said that Ambassador Crocker's comments should be welcomed by all Pakistanis and Pakistani-Americans. "The Pakpac will continue to work towards strengthening Pakistan and the US relationship. The current focus of both countries towards investing in the education of people of Pakistan, (both in and outside of Pakistan) will bear positive results for the entire region and the US," it added.