A prominent Pakistani-American businessman has pledged to fund journalism undergraduate scholarship through Pakistani-American Press Association, a newly formed body of journalists.
Mossadaq Chughtai said at an event on Saturday he will contribute a minimum of $ 10,000 per year to the scholarship fund for a deserving second generation Pakistani-American student, to be recommended by PAPA after a fair selection process.
Chughtai was among influential members of the community who attended an oath-taking ceremony for recently elected PAPA leaders for one year. Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry was the guest of honor. Virginia’s Education Secretary Atif Qarni, Republican strategist and Maryland-based businessman Sajid Tarar, Indian-American IT entrepreneur Frank Islam and Deputy Sheriff Fairfax County Naveed Butt also spoke at the event.
PAPA office bearers taking oath
Eminent scholar Dr. Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University, administered oath to PAPA leaders including Rahman Buneiree, VOA Pashto Service, General Secretary Khurram Shahzad, Abtak News Pakistani TV channel and Treasurer Yousuf Chaudhry, Dunya News Pakistani channel, who were elected unopposed from the United Panel.
Both Frank Islam and Sajid Tarar donated $ 5000 each to PAPA at the inaugural event.
In his speech, Virginia-based businessman Chughtai underscored the need for journalists’ role toward projecting positive achievements of Pakistan in the mainstream American newspapers, and highlighting the investment potential in various areas of growth.
Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry
As chief guest, Pakistan ambassador Aizaz Chaudhry highlighted the key role Pakistani-Americans have in serving as a bridge to mutual understanding and friendship between Pakistan and the United States. Citing the importance of people-to-people links, Ambassador Chaudhry noted how cooperation in the field of agriculture in the early 1960s through the universities of Faisalabad and California led to huge growth benefits for Pakistan.
He also called for bringing all Pakistani-American journalists into the association in the backdrop of differences among some media representatives.
Mossadaq Chughtai
Atif Qarni, a Pakistani-American and first Muslim to be education secretary of the state of Virginia, said he was heartened to see the gathering and underscored the value of the freedom of Press.
The Pakistani-American community in Washington metro area has warmly welcomed Virginia Governor Ralfph Northam’s decision to have Qarni in his cabinet in a sign of recognition of his services as well as a move representing the state’s commitment to pluralism and inclusiveness.
Virginia Education Secretary Atif Qarni
Sajid Tarar, a longtime Republican, asked Pakistani-Americans to be part of the political processes and pointed out that while Indian-Americans have been able to represent the Trump administration in some of the highest positions, Pakistani-Americans lag far behind.
He asked the community to stand up and be counted, and argued that the community should not confine itself.
On the role of the Press, he called for maximizing the original content that may make an impact on readers of community newspapers.
Sajid Tarar
Frank Islam, a highly successful IT entrepreneur, said Americans have long cherished the freedom of the Press and proposed that the Pakistani media should collaborate with the Indian media to “lessen the path of confrontation” between the two countries.
He suggested that PAPA should set up letter to or voice of column dedicated to an important topic a week . He also called for building alliances and networks among journalists and do joint analysis and reporting on issues that matter.
Frank Islam
Deputy Sheriff Naveed Butt said it was a matter of pride for him to be in the law enforcement and noted that Pakistani-Americans have rendered remarkable services for America in law enforcement, police and military.”We are here and part of this society.”
On behalf of PAPA, Anwar Iqbal, Washington Correspondent of Dawn newspaper, welcomed the gathering and said the organization will seek to work for Pakistani-American media. The newly elected office bearers vowed to make PAPA a duly functioning body serving the Pakistani-American journalists.
Former PPP Senator Khawaja Akbar, author and first Pakistani Supreme Court attorney Mowahid Hussain Shah, Aisha Khan, a Pakistani-American contesting for Maryland’s House of Delegate from District 44-B, Arif Ansar, head of the Politact think tank, also attended the event at the invitation of the association.
Deputy Sheriff Fairfax County Naveed Butt speaking at the event
Voice of America Urdu Service’s journalists Asad Hasan and Madeeha Anwar anchored the inaugural event of the association.
Lol how Papa recommend any genuine journalist when it is being run and managed by fake journalists.
Aik Jahanzaib Ali saab pay bhaire
Wish my co-professionals all the best. Hope the platform will equally benefit members of the US based Pakistani community.