Under an aggressive diplomatic initiative, an international seminar is being held in Dubai to highlight the achievements of Pakistani expatriates in the Middle East.
As per the Foreign Office sources, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar, Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan and Karachi Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal will take part in the seminar along with leading expatriate Pakistanis based in the UAE and the Middle East.
"The seminar is being convened in February as part of a global campaign launched by the Pakistan government to raise the soft image of the country among the comity of nations and to highlight the achievements of the Pakistani diaspora for the country of origin.
"This also aims at paying tribute to the Pakistani expatriates for their contributions across the globe," added the sources. The sources said that the Prime Minister had assigned the task to Pakistan's Ambassador at Large Javed Malik, who is organising the Middle East seminar in Dubai under the banner of the Pakistan International Council (PIC).
When contacted, Javed Malik confirmed that the seminar was part of his wide ranging efforts with a view to promoting a positive image of the country through working with leading expatriate Pakistanis, and Friends of Pakistan. "The new democratic government of Pakistan appreciates and acknowledges the role being played by the expatriate Pakistanis for their role in the development of their inhabitant countries. 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", said Javed Malik.
The PIC was established under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and has already initiated various diplomatic efforts to promote Pakistan globally. The Prime Minister's Global Pakistani Awards have already been initiated as an annual event to recognise and celebrate the high achievers from the non-resident overseas Pakistani community, as well as Friends of Pakistan.
It is for the first time that such awards have been announced by the Prime Minister and it goes to show the high regard the new government has for the contributions of the expatriate Pakistanis.
"The PIC will be an umbrella organisation that would establish friendship societies in each country to focus on promoting cultural ties between people of Pakistan and other countries. It would also establish business associations in each country that would foster business and commerce ties between Pakistani businessmen and those in other countries," added Ambassador Javed Malik.
Similarly, he added, networking opportunities would also be created through media, sports and art. Dr Farooq Sattar and other ministers will also take part in the seminar along with Sindh Governor and the Nazim of Karachi, he said. "We are also planning a non-resident Pakistanis convention in Islamabad under the patronage of the Prime Minister with a view of developing a better understanding of their issues and giving them a role in nation building", said Javed Malik, who is spearheading these efforts.