Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Dr Maleeha Lodhi told a large community gathering that Pakistan has met its challenges over the years by its resilience, faith and grit, says a press release received here today from New York. Speaking at an event organised by Pakistani Americans in Bayside in New York, she told the audience that as Pakistan approaches its 70th anniversary of independence there is much to be proud of.
"We should remember and celebrate our accomplishments, even as we continue to face up to and negotiate our challenges", she said. Ambassador Lodhi said that the challenges were there but just as a resilient nation, Pakistan, has managed to surmount crises and natural disasters, like earthquakes and floods, with exemplary strength and dignity, it will continue to overcome present day challenges.
Already, she added, the country had turned the corner on the economic and security challenges facing the country and this gives us the confidence to continue our efforts to ensure that Pakistan emerges from all its problems as a stronger and even more confident nation.
Saeed Hassan organised the event to recognise the contributions of community organisations and bring them all on a single platform. Other speakers at the event included Professor Dr Adil Najam from Boston University, Rizwan Qureshi, Senior Executive VP, HAB-Bank, Raja Ali Ejaz, Consul General and Shahid Khan, a Boston based political activist.
Ambassador Lodhi, in her address, urged Pakistani Americans to step up their political engagement, which she termed, "critical" to represent themselves, articulate their demands and voice their grievances. "If you don't represent yourself, others will define you and misrepresent you", she added. She gave the example of the British Pakistani community which has involved itself and participated actively in Britain's politics and managed to elect dozens of Pakistani-origin representatives to the House of Commons while many have been nominated by different parties to serve in the House of Lords. This she held out as an example worth emulating.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.