US Congresswoman and Chairperson of Pakistani Caucus in US Congress Sheila Jackson Lee have said that Pakistan has played a major role in war against terrorism and we appreciate deeply on the sacrifices and hardship Pakistan has faced in this fight. Congresswoman Lee was addressing a reception & forum on “Role of Media in Strenghtening US PAK Relations” organized by Houston Karachi sister city in honor of visiting journalists delegation from Pakistan. Addressing the group she said that Pakistan is our major ally, and the age old friendship has helped us in forming similar approach to a whole range of issues. Congresswoman Lee said that journalists have played a big role in good relationship between two countries for which we are grateful to them. This is why she said she came to personally attend this meeting from her busy schedule to honor the visiting journalists. Houston Karachi sister city association President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh while welcoming the guests said that Houston Karachi Sister City Association has recently hosted a reception to visiting Karachi Chamber of Commerce and iEarn Pakistan Educational delegation and now the group is hosting a visiting journalists in accordance of his Association’s Aims & objective to promote friendship through Cultural and Trade Exchanges. Pakistani Council General in Houston Afzal Mahmood addressing the gathering said that negotiations are underway with American companies in the area of energy generation, which is expected to be very fruitful. He said that him and his staff is committed to serve the community as they are putting it as a high priority since his appointment to Houston Consulate and he is quite satisfied for the level of cooperation from Pakistani American community. He said that his staff will do the utmost to help community in cultural and business matters. The council General further said that Pakistani diaspora irrespective of their field and profession should behave as Ambassadors of Pakistan outside Pakistan. He said that though diplomatic personal serve their professional responsibilities but the diaspora also holds position of a diplomat outside the country. The Ex. General Secretary of Karachi Press Club and senior journalist Mr. Allauddin Khanzada while addressing the reception said that Pakistanis feel as after sacrificing more than fifty thousands of civilians and more than ten thousand in military personal in the imposed war on terrorism, American still insists on “do more”. He said that Americans would have to show that they are friends of Pakistan in real to strengthen the relationship. The treasurer of Karachi Press Club Mr. Azhar Hussain said that media is playing its effective role and US Pakistan exchange program is needed to be strengthened and should be extended to additional areas and interests besides journalism to consolidate people to people relationship. He said that currently two countries mutual relationship is in a state of confusion and mutual lack of trust is adding to the confusion as the rhetoric and realities are not consistent from the leadership of two countries. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on this occasion presented recognition shields to the visiting journalists including Allauddin Khanzada, Azhar Hussain, Minhaj ul Rab and Zahid Khanzada in appreciation of their journalistic services.Sam Merchant from on behalf of Congressman Al Green also presented US Congressional certificates of recognition while the Protocol Director of Houston Mayor Anise Parker, Ms. Deanea Leflore  presented certificates and special City lapel pins of  city logo to visiting journalists. The visiting journalists presented the traditional Sindhi Ajrak and cap to Congresswoman Lee, Mayor Anise Parker office Executive Director Deanea Leflor, Sam Merchant of Congressman Al-Green office and Muhammad Saeed Sheikh President Houston Karachi Sister City Association and members of Houston Community Leadership and Media Personals which was appreciated by the recipients. President Obama Appointee for USAID Hon:Marty Mcveh was also among the distinguish Guest who attended.
Earlier the Sindh Assembly Pakistan member Irum Azeem Farooq,abc (American Broadcasting Corporation)Vice President Community Affairs Cynthia Cisneros, Former City Council Member & HKSCA founding director M J Khan, Muslim Observer Houston Bureau Cheif ILyas Chodry addressed the forum and highlighted the importance and role of media in strengthening the USPAK relations.Vice President HKSCA Mohammad Zaheer presented the Vote of Thanks and General Secretary Omar Khawaja moderated the Forum.

Others among attendees of the event were South Asia Democracy Watch Director Amir Makhani, abc News Section official Sonia Azad, Pakistan Chamber of Commerce President Parvez Iqbal, Former President HKSCA Haroon Sheikh, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Advisory Council Gul Faraz Khan, HKSCA Executive Board member Khalid Qazi, APPNA Houston Executive Board Member Dr. Yaqoob Sheikh, PAKUS Energy Council Chairman Sajjad Sheikh, Pakistan American Council of Texas President Sajjad Burki, Shah Lateef Cultural Society Chairman Mahmood Dahiri and Mumtaz Chang, Akhtar Abdullah of Alnoor Society,Aziz Siddiqui of ISGH, Nayar IZFAR OF CAIR Texas, House of charity director Dr. Joseph Agris, TV One Director Ghazanfar Hashmi and Farah Iqbal, Houston Istanbul Sister City President Ruhi Ozgul, Turkish Chamber of Commerce President Orhan Osman, Turkish community President Mahmet Okumas, Bangladesh Association Chairman Shah Haleem & Vice Chairman Khalid Khan and Houston Pakistani Media personals Shamim Syed,Najam Sheikh,Saeed Gaddie,Kamran Jillani,Tariq Khan, Jamil Siddiqui and a large number of community leaders and Media officials.

The news:
Role of media in strengthening US-Pak ties highlighted

Geo news:
Role of media in strengthening US-Pak ties highlighted