Zubair Qureshi
President Dr Arif Alvi has called upon the Pakistani diaspora in North America and the Europe to use their expertise and create linkages with relevant institutions, departments and the country’s private sector for transfer of technology and intellectual capital to catalyze Pakistan’s progress and development.
The president expressed these views while talking to President of the Pakistani-descent Physician Society (PPS), Dr Asif Syed, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Monday.
During the meeting, the president said the Pakistani diaspora should make efforts to create linkages between the institutions of higher learning and institutions of research and development in North America and Europe with the institutions of Pakistan involved in research and development for the transfer of knowledge and technology and setting up of relevant infrastructure.
The president also appreciated the idea of setting up a strategic reserve in Pakistan of essential commodities, which may include relief goods needed to cater for any man made or natural calamities and the strategic reserve of essential medicines, which are needed for the victims of manmade and natural calamities.
He said the government was trying to resolve the economic issues faced by the nation, especially in ensuring the availability of urea and meeting the energy needs of the population.
Alvi commended the PPS and its welfare activities during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent floods in Pakistan and stated that the entire world is appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also appreciated the PPS for their advocacy efforts related to training medical graduates of Pakistan in the USA and providing alternate pathways to physicians who are unable to get a residency slot. PPS President Dr Asif Syed expressing his gratitude to the president stated that PPS was a medical non-profit organization and a part of APPNA with a member base of 600 plus physicians from Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The focus of PPS is to support and develop as a grassroots-level organization facilitating healthcare services, community outreach, policy, advocacy and legislation in the USA and in Pakistan.
PPS participates in numerous philanthropic, community-based initiatives in the USA and Pakistan, such as free clinics, immunization campaigns, disaster relief, and food/ration pantries.
