KARACHI: Interim Chief Minister Justice retired Maqbool Baqar on Tuesday discussed with New York State Deputy Speaker Philp Ramos ways and means to explore the possibilities of declaring Sindh and New York as sister states.

According to a CM House spokesman, the US official, along with a delegation of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC), met the chief minister at the CM House.

The delegation included APPAC chairman Dr Ijaz Ahmad, president Imtiaz Rahi, vice-president Dr Tariq Ibrahim, general secretary Naeem Choudhry and others.

From the CM side, Health Minister Dr Saad Niaz, Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Health Secretary Dr Mansoor Rajput attended the meeting.

Welcoming the NY deputy speaker, the CM said that declaring the two states/provinces as sister states would enable the two sides to exchange delegations and develop cooperation between professionals such as doctors and engineers.

Mr Ramos said the committee had told him that they were considering establishing a scholarship programme for Pakistani students to study in the educational institutions of New York and other states of the USA.

Dr Ijaz, Dr Imtiaz and Dr Tariq of the delegation said that they would also explore ways and means to train Pakistani doctors, nurses and other technicians in America so that Pakistan, particularly Sindh, could progress in those sectors.

The CM directed Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam to prepare necessary paperwork for declaring the New York and Sindh as sister states.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2023