During his visit to Iowa, Consul General Tariq Karim visited Iowa State University (ISU) where he interacted with Pakistani students and met with the University leadership and research faculty.
During his meeting with university leadership, the Consul General highlighted the importance of institutional linkages, academic exchanges and research collaboration between ISU and prime institutions in Pakistan, especially in the fields of agriculture and engineering.
The President of ISU’s Pakistan Students Association (PSA), along with ISU faculty members, warmly welcomed the Consul General and gave a briefing on their activities/initiatives, including relief efforts for flood victims in Pakistan. In his interaction with Pakistani students studying at ISU, the Consul General stated that, despite various challenges, Pakistan has achieved several milestones in the last 75 years. He also emphasized Pakistan’s geographic location, its demographic dividend and market size, rich human and natural resources, liberal investment policies and rapidly emerging tech ecosystem that makes Pakistan as an important business and tourist destination.
Consul General Tariq Karim highlighted the colossal loss and devastation caused by the catastrophic climate-induced floods in Pakistan. He emphasized the need for the International community to support Pakistan in tackling this unprecedented disaster. He said that effects of floods will linger for years to come with enormous resources required for rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Appreciating the international assistance for flood victims, he highlighted that Pakistan needed more as initial estimates indicated loss of more than $30 billion. He appreciated the PSA for its efforts to mobilize humanitarian support for flood victims in Pakistan.
The Consul General underlined the contribution of Pakistani-American community in the socio-economic development of the two countries and their bridge building role while sharing various success stories of innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, scientists and educationists from Pakistani Diaspora in the Midwest region. He urged the Pakistani students to continue their efforts for achieving academic excellence while playing an active role in the society. He assured the students and community members his full support in this regard. The interaction was followed by a lively Q&A session.
Chicago IL
October 23, 2022
