By: Raja Zahid Akhtar Khanzada
Dallas: A prestigious reception was hosted at the residence of Abid Malik, President of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Azad Kashmir Overseas, in honor of PML-N Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. The event was attended by key PML-N leaders and prominent members of the community. The gathering aimed to highlight the political and social importance of overseas Pakistanis and convey their issues and suggestions to the PML-N leadership.
In her address, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt emphasized that overseas Pakistanis are a vital national asset with immense potential and resources that remain underutilized. She promised to communicate the concerns and recommendations of overseas Pakistanis to the senior leadership upon her return to Pakistan and pledged to work actively toward organizing and strengthening the party’s overseas wing. She stressed that Pakistanis living abroad play a critical role in the country’s development and stability, and their political and social contributions should never be overlooked.
Host Abid Malik highlighted that thousands of PML-N supporters reside in the United States, yet they often feel neglected by the party’s central leadership despite an established organizational structure. He suggested that a dynamic and responsible leader from Pakistan be appointed as the head of the overseas wing to facilitate effective communication between party officials in the US and the central leadership.
Malik also underscored the importance of having a political presence in the US political system. He pointed out that other political parties, particularly Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have established close ties with members of the US Congress and Senate to advance their agenda. He expressed confidence that if PML-N’s leadership maintained regular contact with overseas Pakistanis and offered them moral and organizational support, the Pakistani community in the US could also gain congressional and senatorial backing for Pakistan’s interests.
He cited a past example when he facilitated meetings between the former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Raja Farooq Haider, and members of both the Republican and Democratic parties in the US Congress to garner support for the Kashmir cause.
The reception was also attended by other PML-N office-bearers and community leaders, who warmly welcomed Senator Bushra Anjum Butt to Dallas and expressed confidence in her leadership. Attendees presented several proposals for strengthening the political organization and influence of overseas Pakistanis, which the senator listened to attentively and assured practical steps would be taken.
The event served as a significant effort to highlight the political and social significance of overseas Pakistanis and amplify their voice to the party’s central leadership. Participants expressed hope that this interaction would strengthen ties between PML-N and overseas Pakistanis, ultimately fostering cooperation for Pakistan’s development and stability.
