Higher education links between the United States and Pakistan foster understanding at people-to-people level and also advance bilateral relations, a group of Virginia politicians noted at an event held to recognise Pakistani faculty attending a course at George Mason University.
The event, hosted by Siddique Sheikh, head of the Pakistan American Business Association, was attended by Virginian political leaders, including State Senator Mark Obenshain, who is the Republican candidate for attorney general in November election, member House of Delegates Jackson Miller, who is the majority whip and Richard Anderson, Buddy Beck, member Board of Visitors at George Mason, Corky Calahou, VP of Nova Petroleum, Amjad Ali Sheikh, Manager National Bank and Prof. James Witte, Director of the Center for Social Science Research at George Mason University. Some leading Pakistani-American entrepreneurs and scholars also attended the event.
The lawmakers expressed their appreciation for Pakistani-Americans’ contribution to economic development of the state, particularly the business leaders, many of whom have achieved the American dream of progress and create job opportunities for citizens in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Senator Obenshain hoped that the educational partnership between the NUST and George Mason would benefit the Pakistani scholars and help build international bridges.
He also addressed concerns voiced by members of the Pakistani-American community regarding some mainstream Republicans’ opinionated attitudes towards Muslims. He pledged that as attorney general he would work with full honesty and integrity. The senator also underscored his commitment to provide equal economic opportunity and education for all communities living in the state.
