DUBAI: Pakistani community based in the UAE has welcomed the decision by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to appoint prominent Overseas Pakistani Javed Malik as PM’s Special Envoy on Overseas Investment with the status of an ambassador, and appreciated the decision to give Pakistanis living abroad a role in the decision making process, says a press release.
Javed Malik is a widely respected figure in Pakistani community in the UAE and also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large between 2008-11. He is also the president of the prestigious Diplomat Business Club which connects diplomats and business leaders from around the world.
Prominent businessman and leading professionals from Pakistani community in Dubai were present at a ceremony hosted in the Emirate’s state to welcome the appointment including Chairman Al Borj Group Sikander Sultan Khawaja, Chairman Schon Group Nasir Schon, Chairman Inter-equip Group Chaudhry Zaffar Iqbal, Chairman Emirates Neon Group, Hanif Merchant, Shahid Umerani, Chairman Valustrat, Kaiser Shaikh, Chairman of Shaikh Holdings, Mir Elahi, President of Pakistan Professionals Forum, Nasir Mehmood, Secretary General Pakistan Business Council and senior professionals from various multinational companies were also present.
A separate ceremony was also hosted by prominent businessman and Chairman of Hashoo Group Saddruddin Hashwani, and while commenting on the appointment, he said, “With this prestigious appointment the honourable Prime Minster, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, has put on very important responsibility on Ambassador Javed Malik to bring foreign investment in the country and building bridges, and I am sure Javed Malik will play a very important role with his connection and contacts. The prime minister has very clear agenda of turning around Pakistan’s economy and May Allah bless him with strength and wisdom to take our beloved country out of crises for which he definitely requires full energy and support from his team of experts and brains like Ambassador Javed Malik”.
Chairman Star Connections, and Vice President of Pakistan Business Council Dubai, Chaudhry Imran said “I was delighted to learn that Ambassador Javed Malik has been appointed as Pakistan Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Overseas Investment.
Nasir Schon said: “I have known Ambassador Javed Malik both as an Ambassador and a business man in UAE and his services for the Pakistani community in UAE are remarkable and his role in bilateral relations is well known and respected among the business and diplomatic corps, I am confident that with his experience in and ability he will pay a very beneficial role for Pakistan in strengthening economic ties and increasing investment”.
Speaking on the occasion, Javed Malik thanked the prime minister for entrusting him with this important responsibility and shared his plans to initiate a series of activities aimed at expanding the scope of economic relations between Pakistan and the Gulf region. “My initial focus will be on UAE and the Gulf region which is collectively home to over almost 4 million Pakistanis, this region is the biggest source of our foreign exchange remittances in addition to the largest trading zone which has the potential to grow further, we are fortunate to have some prominent Pakistanis working and doing business in this region and I intend to work closely with them and create opportunities for them to play a meaningful role in achieving Pakistan’s economic and development goals”, he said.
