HKSCA President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh Meets U.S. Consul General Charles Goodman to Strengthen Bilateral Collaboration in Karachi:
Karachi, Pakistan – The Houston–Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) delegation, led by President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, was honored to be hosted at a luncheon by Charles Goodman, U.S. Consul General in Karachi, at his residence. The meeting was attended by senior officials of the U.S. Consulate General Karachi, including the Deputy Consul General and the Heads of Economic Development and Public Affairs, and served as a significant step toward strengthening bilateral engagement between Karachi and Houston.
The HKSCA delegation was led by President Muhammad Saeed Sheikh and included leadership from the HKSCA Karachi Chapter, notably Muhammad Kashif Ghayaas and Muhammad Yasir Qazi.
President Sheikh also briefed the Consul General on the history, mission, and key areas of work of HKSCA, highlighting its achievements in promoting trade, education, cultural exchange, and humanitarian assistance. Particular emphasis was placed on HKSCA’s extensive humanitarian efforts during times of crisis, including major disaster response initiatives carried out in collaboration with Helping Hand for Relief and Development and other partner organizations. The delegation also acknowledged the generous and sustained support of Chief Patron Syed Javaid Anwar, whose contributions have significantly advanced HKSCA’s mission and impact.
The discussions were highly productive and focused on expanding bilateral trade, business collaboration, and investment opportunities between Pakistan and the United States. A key outcome of the meeting was the strong mutual interest in organizing a bilateral Pakistan–U.S. Business & Investment Forum in Houston, envisioned as a flagship platform to promote structured business-to-business engagement, attract investment, and strengthen commercial ties. The proposed forum is expected to be developed in close collaboration with the U.S. Consulate General Karachi, the Consulate General of Pakistan Houston, and HKSCA, along with leading business organizations in both countries through people to people business diplomacy.
Both sides discussed the importance of establishing a coordinated framework to advance this initiative, including the formation of a joint working group to guide planning, identify priority sectors, and ensure effective implementation. The forum is expected to focus on high-potential sectors such as food and agribusiness, information technology, healthcare, energy, and manufacturing, thereby creating new avenues for trade and investment cooperation.
The HKSCA delegation expressed its sincere appreciation for the Consulate’s leadership, hospitality, and continued support in fostering meaningful bilateral engagement. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to translate these discussions into tangible outcomes that will further strengthen Pakistan–U.S. economic relations.
Further details regarding the proposed Bi-Lateral Business & Investment Forum and related initiatives will be announced in due course.
President HKSCA Muhammad Saeed Sheikh presented, on behalf of the Honorable Mayor of Houston, an official and historic City Seal ceremonial to Charles Goodman, U.S. Consul General, as a symbol of goodwill and the enduring partnership between Houston and Karachi.
About Houston–Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA):
Established in 2009, HKSCA promotes economic cooperation, cultural exchange, and humanitarian collaboration between Houston and Karachi under the framework of Sister Cities International.
