Blog contributed by Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President, Houston-Karachi Sister City Association. Click here to view the original blog post on Medium.
A “Celebration of Rich and Vibrant Pakistani Culture through Folk Music” event and welcome reception featuring newly appointed Consul General of Pakistan Honorable Aisha Farooqui was organized by Houston Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan and Sister Cities of Houston in September 2016. It was supported by the Houston Mayor’s Office of Trade & International Affairs.
Speaking on the occasion was the newly appointed Consulate General of Pakistan, Ms. Aisha Farooqui. She said she admires the way folk singers have promoted Pakistani culture and heritage — these artists are our heroes.
The event was attended by local American civic and political leadership and civil and social notables of Houston as well as several Consulate Generals of various countries. Ms. Aisha Farooqi said that she was delighted to see that there is an official link between Houston and Karachi already in place, by which they have been called sister cities since 2009. She said that she is a daughter of Karachi and she was raised in Karachi where she got her early education. She said that she will do her best to grow this cooperative relationship during her three years’ tenure in Houston.
Representing the City of Houston, City Council Member Carla Cisneros presented the Mayor of Houston recognition certificates for promotion of Pakistani culture and art. Mr. Ivan Sanchez, representing Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, also presented Congressional Recognition to the visiting folk artists and sponsors.
The program concluded with the colorful folk performance by prominent Pakistani singers Wahid Allen Faqir, Mai Nimari, and others.
The event was sponsored by Shaks Entertainment, Assad Siddiqui, Wallis State Bank, and Simplex Med.
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