LAUNCHING CEREMONY After a great deal of deliberation for over a period of 6 months FOCUS PAKISTAN was launched on November 4,2002. Invited guests included the core FOCUS group, interested prominent citizens, intellectuals, government functionaries, members of national electronic & print media. The president Dr. Mohammad Owais Farooqui made a presentation inviting every concerned citizen to participate in presenting a true and positive image of Pakistan. Federal information minister honorable Nissar Memon was the special guest who enthusiastically endorsed the concept and mission of FOCUS PAKISTAN. Most of the major network provided coverage nationwide.

FOCUS PAKISTAN hosted a dinner for Mr. Thomas Shea Mr. Shea is a peace activist based in Seattle Washington & one of the leaders of inter faith movement in the U.S. He stated, “There are many of us in the U.S who believe that it is only through meaningful inter-faith dialogue that lasting solutions would be found by the world community to seemingly insurmountable problems. ” Mr. Shea was highly delighted to have had an interaction with members of FOCUS group & reiterated the objectives of FOCUS PAKISTAN & promised to work to enhance PAK-US friendship and to join forces to achieve peace. This event was attended by all executive members & invited guests. They welcomed Mr. Shea, his associate Ruth Mccubbery & Martha W. Bush, a peace movement leader & associate of inter-faith movement.

Focus Pakistan hosts a function in honor of visiting ex-patriot, mayor of Waltham Forest England At a function held in honor of visiting ex-patriot, mayor of Waltham Forest England, honorable Fazul-ur-Rehman & his group. He stated, “The world would have been a more peaceful place had UN Resolutions been implemented.” He further said, “ It was the disregard for the UN Resolution that had marginalized the world body.”

His comments were in relation to the Kashmir dispute & he had hoped that Britain would mediate between Pak-India over Kashmir as the British had a deep understanding of the region and its people. He and his associates appreciated the warm welcome they received during this visit. FOCUS PAKISTAN president Dr. M. Owais Farooqui in his concluding remarks said, “Pakistanis settled abroad are economically and politically mature and needed to support the building of a civil society in their country of origin and participate in portraying a positive and progressive image of their motherland.”

Focus Pakistan hosts Mr. Shahid Ahmed Khan, a prominent Pakistani-American based in Boston Massachusetts A prominent Pakistani-American Shahid Ahmed Khan based in Boston Massachusetts was welcomed by FOCUS PAKISTAN. He shared his views and experience of post 9/11 U.S in context with its effects on Pakistanis settled in America. He along with the president of FOCUS PAKISTAN Dr. Owais Farooqui had a face-to-face discussion hosted by GEO TV network a day later.

Focus Pakistan gives a reception to U.S. Philanthropist couple, Mr. Mr. David Morton and Mrs. Holly Angelman A reception was given in honor of visiting U.S Philanthropist couple Mr. David Morton and Mrs. Holly Angelman representing a US based NGO ‘Wheel for Humanity’. They stated that the image of Pakistan presented by the western media is different from what it actually is. They praised the hospitality of Pakistani people. “We are visiting Pakistan against the advice of the state department.” They said adding that they would convey the warmth of love sentiments to their fellow Americans who did not know the real Pakistan and Pakistanis as the western media had painted a gloomy picture of the country.

Focus Pakistan gives a farewell to the outgoing Principal officer of American Consulate Lahore, Sheldon B. Rappoport A farewell party to the outgoing Principal officer of the American consulate Lahore, Sheldon B. Rappoport was organized. Mr. Rappoport stated that he had tremendously enjoyed his time in Pakistan &was highly impressed by the hospitality of Pakistani people & their capabilities, intelligence, & hard work. He further stated that he would remain interested in the region and look forward to any future visit to Pakistan. At the farewell party apart from the president Dr.Owais Farooqui eminent members of FOCUS, Mr.Khurshid Akhter, Mr. Khawar Raffique, Mr.Bashir A. Sheikh, Mrs.Azra Mohyeuddin, Mrs.Ayeda Naqvi, Khalid Ghayas, Mr. Tahir Malik, Mr. Muhammad Usman Sheikh and Mr. Muzaffar Mohamed Ali were also present along with Environment Secretary Kamran Lashari, MPA Aleem Khan & MNA Mrs. Maha Tareen