WASHINGTON: Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Masood Khan felicitating Ms Khydeeja Alam for her appointment as Executive Director of the California APIA Commission has said that the achievements of Pakistani-American diaspora were a matter of pride and honor for Pakistan.
He remarked this during virtual meeting with Ms. Khydeeja Alam, who has been appointed as Executive Director of The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), the only ethnic commission established by California State Law to address the needs, issues, and concerns of Asian American and Pacific Islander American communities.
Massod Khan said, “You (Khydeeja) bring a fresh perspective and young dynamic leadership, and we look forward to working with you in building bridges between Pakistan and the United States.”
It should be mentioned here that Ms. Alam was the first Pakistani American to hold this important position representing the interests of over 6 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who call California home.
Khydeeja said, “This opportunity exemplifies and represents everything that I hold near and dear to my heart, I want to give back to my community.”
Recalling her journey, Ms Alam said that her family migrated to Hollister, California from Pakistan in 1996 when she was 13.
“Before joining the Commission, I served as the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for Catalyst California, and later as Director of External and Legislative Affairs at California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. Currently, I am also serving as Board President of CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California,” she continued.
Khydeeja said, “I plan to focus on anti-Asian hate, spearhead outreach efforts to address issues related to cultural language sensitivity with state agencies and prioritize uplifting communities across California.”
I also want to include Islamophobia and antisemitism in that work, she added.
While appreciating her passion and dedication to public service, Ambassador Masood Khan invited Ms Alam to visit Pakistan along with entrepreneurs, tech experts, investors, and lawmakers from her constituency.
“Pakistan offers plenty of investment opportunities in IT, agriculture, mineral extraction, energy and tourism sector. We would welcome strong business connections between investors in Pakistan and their counterparts in California,” said the Ambassador.
Masood Khan also highlighted the massive investments in Pakistan by the companies based in Silicon Valley urging upon further strengthening of cooperation in the field of IT between Pakistan and the United States.
“We share your happiness, and we look forward to working with you,” said the Ambassador in his concluding remarks.
