‘Exchange programmes offer chance to soften Pakistan’s image’

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Pakistanis can soften the image of Pakistan by visiting the US on different State Department’s exchange programmes, said Pak-US Alumni Network President Fauzia Siddiqui.
She said this while speaking at a gathering of alumni of US State Department’s different exchange programmes, including International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP), Fulbright, Humphrey, Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme among others, under the banner ‘Alumni Connect: Capacity Building and Enrichment Programme’ hosted by the US Consulate in Karachi on Tuesday. “We are not terrorists but very hardworking and friendly people, and this can be communicated through such exchange programmes,” said Siddiqui, adding that these programmes are very important to bridge gaps between both the countries. Addressing the gathering, an alumnus from Jamshoro, Ghulam Ali Buriro said the US Consulate was doing a great job but it needs to increase the number of candidates in different exchange programmes from rural Sindh, so that rural people may also be given a chance to visit other countries and express their thoughts.
Answering Buriro’s query, YES programme’s Umme Kulsoom said this year a large batch of candidates is being taken from almost 16 different cities of Pakistan, including Mithi, Gilgit Baltistan, Pishin, Gawadar and Larkana among other cities. IVLP alumni Rahat Najam, US Consulate Cultural Affairs Officer Susan R Harville and Public Affairs Officer James A Warren among others also spoke on the occasion. At the event, renowned folk singer Shazia Khushk performed different cultural songs and different artists also played Sindhi musical instruments.

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