Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S., Masood Khan, has commended the significant contributions made by the Assoc. of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) in bolstering Pakistan's healthcare system and addressing various challenges, including floods.
Speaking at the 10th annual banquet of APPNA's Delaware Valley Chapter, which represents Pakistani doctors in Eastern Pennsylvania, Upper Delaware, and South New Jersey, Ambassador Masood Khan expressed pride in the remarkable success of Pakistani doctors in the United States. He emphasized that they were valuable to Pakistan and the United States.
While acknowledging that Pakistan faces challenges, Ambassador Masood Khan expressed confidence in its ability to navigate them. He highlighted the progress made in various sectors and stressed the importance of unity within the Pakistani community in the United States.
He encouraged Pakistani Americans to actively participate in mainstream American society, emphasizing that they possess the necessary competencies. Ambassador Masood Khan also praised the increasing influence of Pakistani-Americans in U.S. politics and other sectors.
Ambassador Masood Khan expressed his gratitude for the services of Tarik Khan, a Pennsylvania House of Representatives member who successfully introduced a resolution to declare Eid-ul-Fitr as a holiday in Pennsylvania.
He also thanked APPNA and its leaders, including Dr. Harun Durrani, for their support during last year's devastating floods.
In another engagement, Ambassador Masood Khan interacted with Pakistani students studying in various U.S. universities and colleges under the Pakistani Students Association Coalition (PSAC). He commended PSAC for uniting Pakistani students' associations and appreciated their efforts to promote Pakistani culture and strengthen ties between the two countries.
Ambassador Masood Khan emphasized the importance of excelling in their chosen fields while respecting the laws and norms of their host country. He encouraged the students to project a positive image of Pakistan and stay connected with the youth in Pakistan.
Ambassador Masood Khan urged the students to contribute to cementing Pakistan-U.S. relations and invest in Pakistan's future. He advised them to maintain strong ties with Pakistani-American professional and entrepreneurial organizations, such as APPNA and OPEN, for networking and professional opportunities.
He thanked President PSAC Areeb Shahid for facilitating the meeting and pledged support for the coalition's objectives and agenda.