Special Correspondent
NEW YORK: In continued recognition of the outstanding contributions of the Pakistani-American community, the New York State Assembly and Senate adopted a Legislative Resolution proclaiming March 18, 2026, as “Pakistani-American Business Celebration Day” in the State of New York.
The resolution recognizes the pivotal role of Pakistani-American entrepreneurs and business leaders in driving economic growth, generating employment, and enriching the cultural diversity of New York State.
It highlights their contributions across key sectors including retail, hospitality, technology, finance, healthcare, and real estate, while underscoring their role as vital economic and cultural bridges between the United States and Pakistan. It further emphasizes opportunities for enhanced trade and investment cooperation between Pakistan and the State of New York.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, along with Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai and Trade and Investment Counsellor Adnan Mehmood Awan, attended the proceedings at the New York State Legislature in Albany.
On the sidelines, the Ambassador held a meeting with the President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, to discuss avenues for further strengthening economic and institutional cooperation between Pakistan and the State of New York.
A reception was also held at the Legislature to celebrate the passage of the resolution. It was attended by New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Assembly Members Phil Ramos, William Colton, Steve Stern, Robert C. Carroll, Steven Raga, Jenifer Rajkumar, Steven Chan, and other distinguished participants.
In his remarks, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh expressed deep appreciation for the leadership of Senator John Liu and Assembly Member Nader Sayegh, as well as the dedicated efforts of the American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG), under the stewardship of its President Mr. Ali Rashid and his team.
He noted that the growing frequency of high-level engagements and recent positive developments in Pakistan–U.S. relations have created renewed momentum in bilateral ties. Emphasizing the action-oriented dimension of the resolution, particularly its focus on deepening trade and economic linkages, the Ambassador stressed that the time has now come to translate this positive trajectory into tangible outcomes.
He described the initiative as both a culmination of sustained collective efforts and a forward-looking investment in the future, underscoring that durable partnerships must be anchored in strong economic relations that can endure beyond individual tenures and be carried forward by future generations.
Passage of the resolution reflects continued bipartisan support and growing recognition of the Pakistani-American community’s invaluable contributions to the economic vitality and social fabric of New York State.
The general sentiment in proclaiming Pakistani- American Businesses Celebration Day was best captured by
Senator Jessica Ramos in her statement on the Senate floor. “ The Pakistani American community is an important part of the success story and has contributed significantly to make New York a place worth living”, she mentioned.
