International Focus Magazine Vol. 2, #9 | Page 48

Q : What does a consul general in your capacity do ?
A : “ There are multiple responsibilities of the Consul General . My primary role is to represent Pakistan , not only to Houston but the nine additional states which are part of the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Consul General of Houston . It stretches all the way from New Mexico to Florida . The ten states along the south of the United states which include : Texas , Oklahoma , New Mexico , Louisiana , Arkansas , Colorado , Mississippi , Alabama , Georgia , and Florida . As a representative of Pakistan I strive to project my homeland and its interest with the local administration in these states Whether it ’ s the Governor ’ s office in Austin , the Mayor ’ s office in Houston , or the various district administrative officials . I am the face of Pakistan in these 10 states .
A : “ Let ’ s start with the broader picture . Pakistan ’ s relationship with
Q : What does a consul general in your capacity do ?
A : “ There are multiple responsibilities of the Consul General . My primary role is to represent Pakistan , not only to Houston but the nine additional states which are part of the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Consul General of Houston . It stretches all the way from New Mexico to Florida . The ten states along the south of the United states which include : Texas , Oklahoma , New Mexico , Louisiana , Arkansas , Colorado , Mississippi , Alabama , Georgia , and Florida . As a representative of Pakistan I strive to project my homeland and its interest with the local administration in these states Whether it ’ s the Governor ’ s office in Austin , the Mayor ’ s office in Houston , or the various district administrative officials . I am the face of Pakistan in these 10 states .
My secondary role is the facilitation
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of the Pakistani-American community . We have a large concentration in Texas , but primarily in Houston , Dallas , and San Antonio . Some live in Louisiana , and an equally large concentrations live in Florida and Georgia . The rest of the states under our jurisdiction have small pockets of Pakistani-Americans living there . My office provides consular services such as documentation of our dual nationality agreement with the United states . This means that Pakistani-Americans who have relatives , businesses , or property matters in Pakistan can manage these things and travel back and forth with ease . In additional to this we do Visa and Passport services for tourism , business , and family visits to Pakistan . This office is a full Consulate center for the community and those who wish to go to Pakistan .
My tertiary role is promotion of trade . This office has a full wing dedicated to Trade headed by our commercial secretary . We participate with Pakistani businesses and traders in Pakistan while connecting them to their counterparts here in Houston and the additional areas under our jurisdiction . We facilitate their participation in trade exhibitions as well . Coincidentally there was a big trade exhibition in Florida for surgical goods and supplies last week . For events like that my office and it ’ s trade wing become the focal point for building these connections in an effort to not only promote trade , but increase our trade footprint in the United States . No one can reach every member of the community but we strive to be as accessible as possible .”
Q : What are some past , present , and future goals for pakistan ’ s relationship with houston ?
A : “ Let ’ s start with the broader picture . Pakistan ’ s relationship with