New York (TDI): New York State Assembly and Senate have unanimously adopted two landmark resolutions to honor the Pakistani community on the upcoming Pakistan Day.
The resolutions have proclaimed March 23rd as “Pakistan-American Heritage Day” and March 19th as “Pakistani-American Business Celebration Day.”
The resolutions were sponsored by Assembly member Nader J. Sayegh and Senator John C. Liu.
During the prestigious ceremony, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, was also present, accompanied by the leadership of American Pakistani Advocacy Group (APAG); including the President Ali Rashid.
Pakistan’s Consulate General in New York called it “a proud moment for community & a step towards stronger trade, cultural & diplomatic ties between Pakistan and New York.”
NY State Assembly & Senate unanimously adopt two landmark resolutions proclaiming Mar 23 as “Pakistan-American Heritage Day”& Mar 19 as “Pakistani-American Business Celebration Day.” Thanks to Assemblymember @NaderJSayegh & Senator @LiuNewYork for sponsoring historic resolutions. pic.twitter.com/6MOx65qxLS
— Pakistan Consulate General New York (@PakinNewYork) March 20, 2025
APAG is the lead group that represents the Pakistani community in the United States.
It was APAG’s successful advocacy and community outreach that led to the co-naming of a street in Queens, New York as the “Allama Iqbal Avenue,” in August 2023.
In addition to APAG, American Pakistan Foundation is another such association that works to facilitate Pakistani community and to increase cooperation between the two countries, especially in people-to-people interactions.
During the ceremony in New York’s People’s House, Haitian-American Assembly member, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, said that she was proud to be a co-sponsor of the resolutions.
“On this day we celebrate 194000 Pakistani-Americans who call New York city home,” she added.
Celebrating Pakistan Day at the People’s House 🇵🇰
New York State has the largest Pakistani American population in the U.S.
We recognized their incredible contributions & discussed solutions with @AmPakFdn, @PakinNewYork & other stakeholders to further empower our Pakistani… pic.twitter.com/oRzwlLx8wV
— Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (@AMBichotte) March 20, 2025
The United States hosts a large Pakistani diaspora and the New York State is home to incredible Pakistani-owned and led businesses.
The US Census Bureau estimated the number of Pakistanis in America to be 629946, in 2021.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
