Download Report

PAKISTAN AMERICAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
PABA NEWS
Issue No. 4
April/May, 2015
Globally Oriented George Mason University Engages Pakistan
By Buzz McClain
Fairfax, VA. — For Fareeha Rehman, it has been a
rewarding experience at the George Mason University,
Virginia’s largest public research university which boast
students from 130 countries who speak more than 80 different languages.
“There is much more diversity than I expected there
to be,” says Rehman, a Pakitani American freshman who is
studying Communication and thinking about a career in
journalism. “There are so many different people here, and
they bring their culture with them.”
Located near Washington D.C., the nation’s capital
that offers lucrative job opportunities to post-graduates,
Mason is widely known for its international diversity and
has been a top choice of students from Pakistan, the
world’s sixth most populous country.
And while there are many nationalities, Rehman notices they do not tend to cluster together all the time. “They introduce me to their friends, and it is a diverse group of friends. I do notice Pakistani students have groups as well, but they
don’t confine themselves to just those groups.”
Continued P - 2
Pakistan Fundamental Partner in U.S. Fight
Against Terrorism
Rob Wittman
The current international system that we live in is a dynamic
one. As the United States continues to execute its mission of combating
terrorist organizations around the world, especially in the Middle East,
Pakistan continues to function as a fundamental partner on this mission.
In my role as a member of the House Armed Services Committee and as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, I have had the opportunity to visit
Pakistan and witness firsthand this fruitful relationship.
The operational capabilities provided by the United States’ partnership with Pakistan
have been vital during counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. The United States and Pakistan interact on other fronts as well.
A strong and healthy dialogue between the United States and Pakistan is essential to
maintaining regional and U.S. national security as well as our bilateral relationship as a whole.
However, this sort of dialogue will only be achieved through productive diplomatic relations.
Continued P - 4
Also in This Issue

First Impressions
about Pakistan

United Muslim
Relief

NAACP Survey
"If you are not
willing to risk the
usual, you will
have to settle for
the ordinary." —
Jim Rohn
.
That assimilation is reflected in the charter of the active Pakistani Student Association, which
is dedicated to raising awareness about Pakistan and its heritage by hosting events that increase social interactions
with not just other students but also faculty and staff.
Mason is aggressively reaching out overseas, particularly for Pakistan, to make potential students aware of
what the school has to offer. Mason has recently applied for a grant through the U.S. State Department for a two-year
U.S.-Pakistani “academic linkages” program with the fast-growing University of Management and Technology in
Lahore.
The United States sponsors a wide range of exchange programs with Pakistan and more than 1,300 Pakistani
exchange participants come to the United States each year. Nearly 5,000 Pakistanis studied on U.S. college and
university campuses during the 2013-2014 academic year.
Since 2005, over 300 Pakistani students have traveled to the United States to study fields related to business
and entrepreneurship through our Fulbright and Community College Initiative programs.
Mason already has a relationship with the National
University of Sciences and Technology, one of Pakistan’s
top universities. The partnership with NUST provides a
two-way flow of knowledge across the ocean with the
intention of creating an interconnected world.
Mason’s programs to accommodate international
students are plentiful. There are pathways to success in
America for students new to the country and English, which
include assistance for learning English, writing papers, and
even for finding employment.
Last year Mason established a relationship with
INTO: The Global Education Partners, a London-based
company that actively recruits students for American higher
education institutions.
The INTO Mason students have several pathways as undergraduates in various fields of study, including
engineering and computing, business, human and social development, social sciences and science. They also live in
dedicated housing at the Mason Global Center with its own food services, where the menu reflects the many different
homelands of the students.
Mason’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education is a campus resource that connects,
engages and builds relationships among students of all nationalities, assuring assimilation without sacrificing cultural
distinction.
While the Mason community takes inclusion very seriously, they like to have fun as well.
The International Café is a student-led group that arranges for those identifying with a foreign nationality to
host a function consisting entirely of activities and food from their homeland. Through the use of crafts, games, music
and dances, students share their traditions with others and develop meaningful relationships with others.
Pakistani students marching with their national flag was one of the highlights of the parade to kick-off a
springtime International Day Festival in early April that eventually expanded into an entire International Week.
Activities throughout the week included cuisine, entertainment, lectures, readings and other meaningful events. And
don’t forget the weeklong cricket tournament.
Buzz McClain is a former music critic at the Washington Post and is now Communication Manager at
George Mason University.
“First Impressions of Pakistan”
By Keith Segerson
I was very fortunate to be invited, by Mr. Siddique
Sheikh, to travel with him to Islamabad to speak, on behalf
of PABA, at the 3rd Annual U.S. Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference in March. Our objective was to both
support the conference and to increase awareness of PABA
to attendees.
What I saw was a comprehensive effort by the
government of Pakistan to protect not only its citizens, but
also all visitors. They don’t want problems with terrorists
and are taking every step to ensure that Pakistan is safe for
all. My fears subsided and I had a wonderful visit.
I checked U.S. Department of State travel warnings
and talked with Mr. Sheikh as well as other American citizens who have made the trip. To a person, I was assured that
if I were to exercise basic safety precautions, I should have
no problems. This guidance proved to be very sound.
young entrepreneurs from a business incubator/technology
park in Lahore who had created new companies. They were
interested in internationalization and anxious to grow their
businesses.
The presentation that I gave was well received, the
business
and government leaders that I met were very welWhen I first contemplated traveling to Pakistan, I felt
coming, and there was a general sense throughout the confersome concern for my safety. As an American, I was aware
of past security situations that created hesitation, on my part, ence of optimism for the future.
to make the trip.
I had the opportunity to talk with several exciting
My arrival, in Islamabad, was in the middle of the
night (or, very early morning). My sense of concern was
present as I left the airport with Mr. Sheikh and the gentleman who picked us up.
I immediately saw armed guards and experienced
several security check points on our way to our rooms. My
fear for my safety was heightened as I just was unsure what
to expect and the stories that I heard resonated in my head.
We arrived, without incident, at our room and settled in for
the night.
By the middle of my first day in Islamabad, I was
feeling much safer. I met some wonderful people and even
talked with two of the armed security guards at the conference location.
As well, I had the privilege of touring the business
accelerator at National University of Science and Technology (NUST). From the leadership to the entrepreneurs to the
faculty/student researchers and inventors, I saw the future.
The final day that I was in Islamabad, I had the most
sincere honor to travel with another American colleague who
had family roots in Islamabad. He invited me to join him as
he visited several of his and his wife’s families who he had
not seen in many years. To a person and to a family, I was
openly received and made to feel at home. I was invited to
join them for meals and for conversation. Their hearts were
open and they were most welcoming.
Continued P - 4
….Cond.
As my first visit to Pakistan came to a close, I
made my way to the airport to begin my long journey back to America.
My memories are fond and warm. I made many new friends, established
new business and government contacts, and created a strong and lasting
relationship with the leadership, faculty, and students at NUST. The
people that I met in Pakistan showed the very best of humanity and
friendship. I look forward to a return trip in the near future and cherish the
memories and experience of my visit.
For the attendees at the 3rd Annual U.S. Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference, PABA can and should be a key resource to build lasting Mr. Keith Segerson with security officials at the
business and government bridges between our two countries. Membership Serena Hotel in Islamabad.
in PABA should be seen as an investment that provides timely information
and events that will help internationalization of emerging businesses. PABA provides networking opportunities that
supports business growth and development. As well, the upcoming U.S. Pakistan Business Convention and Trade Show,
planned for the fall of 2016 in Washington, D.C., will build upon the successes of the recently concluded U.S. Pakistan
Business Opportunities Conference.
My continued role in PABA, combined with my new found appreciation for the people, business, academic, and
government leadership of Pakistan will, no doubt, help create PABA member benefits that far exceed the cost of
membership. We look forward to receiving you as new members in PABA.
…… Cond
Since 1947, the United States and Pakistan
have had official diplomatic relations. Additional interaction between Americans and
Pakistanis will continue to pave a path forward that leads
toward an even stronger bilateral relationship.
Pakistan and the United States will need to continue
to facilitate a bilateral relationship through their respective
diplomatic and military leaders. Positive relationships in
these areas will allow the United States and Pakistan to work
closer together and improve already strong economic ties.
Continued meetings between the two country’s top
diplomats and representatives will be crucial as the relationship advances. Through these sorts of interactions, the
United States and Pakistan will be able to cement a strong
bilateral relationship which benefits both nations.
The relationship between the United States and
Pakistan stretches beyond national security strategy and
civilian assistance and includes a booming economic
partnership.
Steps to strengthen this relationship continue to be
made. The United States provides assistance to Pakistan
through the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act which
became law in 2009. The United States has given over $4
billion in civilian assistance to Pakistan between October of
2009 and March of 2014 with the goal of demonstrating the
United States’ commitment to working with the people of
Pakistan.
The U.S. State Department notes that in Fiscal Year
2013 the U.S. accounted for over 15% of Pakistan’s exports
and over $1 billion of its imports. The economic relationship
between our two countries is very positive and I am excited
to see American and specifically Virginia companies
continuing to do outstanding business with Pakistan.
I am proud to say that I have had the honor of visiting Pakistan and experiencing the nation’s culture. As the
United States and Pakistan’s relationship continues to evolve
The United States has also interacted with the
we must continue to work together on many fronts. I look
government of Pakistan and provided military assets in order forward to additional opportunities to work with the people
to provide Pakistan with additional support in its counterter- of Pakistan and I’m eager to build upon the positive relationrorism operations.
ship between our two countries.
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources
Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.
UMR Plans Programs For Orphans in Seven Countries Including Pakistan
By Mohamed Ali
In 2010, a group of students at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, responded to an international call to
help the victims of the Haitian earthquake by launching a humanitarian organization.
Dedicated to the health-related programs, United Muslim Relief (UMR) today is among the fastest growing NGOs
in the United States. UMR focuses on building humanitarian coalition to tackle some of the world’s most pressing needs.
“Our focus is on holistic relief by providing underprivileged communities around the world with opportunities for
improving their lives through access to quality health care,
food and water security, shelter, and excellent education,” said
Dr. Abed Ayoub, the CEO and President of the organization
which until 2013 was known as Muslims Without Borders.
UMR recently partnered with Orphans In Need, a
UK-based charity, to build sustainable programs devoted to
orphans and widows worldwide. As a first step, they together
plan to provide comprehensive orphan care in over seven
countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Senegal and
Somalia. “This joint venture adds to the list of existing
programs that UMR has and will be coupled with our food packages we distribute during the Muslim fasting month of
Ramadan to countries such as Palestine, Bangladesh, Somalia, Kenya, Iraq, Burma, Yemen, and Pakistan,” said Oussama
Mezoui, Vice President of Programs at UMR.
“UMR build loose-based coalitions with numerous partners, internationally and domestically, to tackle some of the
most debilitating issues in the world,” Dr. Ayoub said, adding that after assessing the needs of a community, UMR then
partners with specialist organizations to provide much-needed relief and development packages to as many beneficiaries as
possible. For example, when medicines or medical supplies are needed in a region, UMR determines the feasibility of
safely delivering shipments of aid packages and coordinates
with local partners for distribution, he explained.
As part of its long-term commitment, UMR has also
established continuing orphan care programs, maternal clinics
and crisis relief centers in a host of countries in the developing
world to provide further avenues for the socioeconomic
development of those impacted by its relief aid.
“Our motto ‘beyond relief’ has always born testament
to our conviction that relief does not end but rather continues
until those in need are able to lift themselves out of the cycle
of poverty and life-threatening insecurity that blights the lives
of successive generations.”
UMR’s domestic programs, led by its university chapters, focus on alleviating the plight of local communities
through service-oriented projects. “The recent addition of 11 more chapters to our UMR family is indicative of the success
of our efforts to galvanize college students and young professionals to uplift their communities,” Dr. Ayoub said. “We are
proud of Aisha Hussain, our Operation Liaison and head of chapter development, for making this expansion possible, and
we are excited to see these wonderful students in action. “
Dr. Ayoub, who has 23 years of experience in humanitarian relief and development work, said that unlike most,
UMR supports its chapters by providing them avenues and resources and the flexibility to be creative to accomplish their
projects. “I am proud of the hard work that our organization has invested in our programs and chapters.”
Social Corner
Fairfax County NAACP Conducts Community Survey
The Fairfax County Branch of the NAACP
(National Association For The Advancement Of Colored
People) is conducting a survey to help better meet the
needs of the community.
PARTNERS
The Community Survey will remain open until
May I, and seeks comments from the community members
about their preference in terms of priorities with regard to
criminal justice, education, health, economics, youth,
environmental climate justice and civic engagements.
Fairfax County NAACP branch of the association
was chartered in 1944. The NAACP itself was founded in 1909 and is one of the nation’s
oldest and largest grassroots-based civil rights organization. It has more than half a million
members and supporters throughout the world, according to the association.
The NAACP aims to ensure political, educational, social and economic equality of
rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination.
Fairfax County has a total population of 1,116,245 in 2014, which is projected to
grow by 0.4 percent to 1,120,900 by the end of 2015, according to the “ Demographic Reports 2014, County of Fairfax, Virginia”.
As per racial and ethical population distribution, Whites were the biggest majority
with 709,910 people, making up 63.6 percent of the total population in 2014, followed by
18.4 percent Asian and Pacific Islander (205,090), and 9.7% Black (108,449).
As per age distribution, people between 45-54 age are projected at 170,482 in 2015,
making the highest percentage of 15.2 percent, followed by 12.1 percent each for people
falling in the age group of 55-64 and 65-above. Projected at 61,045, people in the 20-24
age group are at the bottom, making up 5.4 percent of the total population.
Use Vacuum to clear Refrigerator coils: Use a vacuum cleaner
hose to remove dust from refrigerator coils to make it work more efficiently.
Mayonnaise to Remove Water Stains: Apply mayonnaise to r emove water
stains on wooden furniture.
Use Mustard to Soothe Burn Pain: Apply mustar d to ease pain out of a bur n
caused by accidently touching hot utensils.
Nail Polish to Relieve Insect Bite: Nail polish can help r elieve pain fr om insect
bite.
(Web Sources)
Universal Air & Vacuum
Services
Pakistan Briefs
* Pakistan Extends Deadline For Sugar Exports Till July 15
Pakistan has allowed extension in period for sugar exports till July 15 after failing to sell the allotted amount of the sweetener by an earlier deadline of May 15. The government has allowed up to
650,000 metric tons of sugar for export this year from its surplus stocks. By March 27, contracts for
323,466 metric tons of sugar had been approved out of the allotted amount.
* Tax Holiday For Pakistan’s Gwadar Port Extended By Three Years
The government has extended the Tax Holiday period for Gwadar Port and the Gwadar Port Free Zone by another three
years to 23 years, following requests by China Overseas Port Company Ltd. The period had been extended to attract national
and foreign investors. The Port was built with Chinese assistance.
* Next IMF Review For Pakistan Loan In Late-April In Washington
The International Monetary Fund will hold 7th review with regard to the $6.6. billion loan extended to Pakistan in 2013 to
help the country avert a balance of payment crisis. The review is required for the release of next tranche of loan. Pakistan
has successfully conducted record six reviews with the IMF as the past governments had not gone beyond two reviews for
then existing programs.
* Pakistan’s Second LNG Terminal To Be Completed in May
Pakistan will complete installation of its second LNG terminal in May as it begins importing the liquefied natural gas to
meet growing commercial and industrial needs . Pakistan has already received first LNG shipment in April on its newly built
terminal near Port Qasim in Karachi. Both the plants have investment from Pakistani companies worth $1 billion.
* U.S.-Pakistan Energy Group to Meet in Islamabad on April 29-30
The next meeting of the U.S.-Pakistan Energy Working Group will be held in Islamabad on April 29-30. The group last held
its meeting in Washington in November, 2013. The upcoming meeting will discuss clean energy sources – gas and renewables. The United States is helping Pakistan overcome its chronic energy problems .
* Import of Used Cars in Pakistan Declined By Half in FY14
The import of used cars in Pakistan have declined by 52% to 23,484 units, according to a report by the Karachi-based Topline Securities Brokerage Group. On average, local assembled cars make up 75 percent while used imported cars are 25% of
the total sales. The sale of imported used cars jumped after Pakistan’s government in Feb, 2011 relaxed age limit of used
cars imported cars from three to five years, and introduced an amnesty scheme for smuggled cars to get registered. These
decisions affected local sales of cars in FY13 and FY14.
* Remittances Sent by Overseas Pakistani Grow by 15% in July-March
Pakistan received $13.327 billion in remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis in the first nine months of the 2014-15 Fiscal
Year to March, compared with $11.586 billion received in the same period last year, according to the country’s Central
Bank. The remittances from the United States increased by 2.6 percent to $1.871 billion. The bulk of remittances were
received from the Gulf countries.
* Pakistan Allows Branchless Banking Businesses To Exchange Cos.
The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed Foreign Exchange Companies to conduct branchless banking activities as agent of
authorized financial institutions, including commercial, Islamic and microfinance banks. The facility is likely to help
overseas Pakistanis send their through authorized exchange companies.
PABA AT A GLANCE
The Pakistan American Business Association, commonly known as PABA, was established in
1986 to bring together business people of diverse occupations, providing opportunities for them
to flourish and help others grow.
Through our board, active members and leadership in the United States of American and in Pakistan, PABA has been
able to achieve many successes at local, national and international level. PABA nurtures business opportunities between Pakistan and the United States and enables its members to develop new businesses and promotes dialogue between Pakistani and American government officials. we have don
What we have done
Local, state, national and international conventions
Job fairs for aspiring business people
Relief efforts for Katrina Hurricane and 2010 Pakistan Flood victims
International Trade Conference in Pakistan in 2004
Raised Funds for Shaukat Khanum Hospital in 1995
And much more,,,,,,,,,
PABA To Host International Trade Show in Washington D.C. in 2016
Pakistan American Business Association
9302 Old Keene Mill Road Suite B
Burke, VA 22015 - 4278
www.pabausa.org