New York: Deputy Speaker New York State Assembly Phil Ramos is set to visit Pakistan this week, aiming to establish sister-state relationships between New York and provinces of Punjab and Sindh.

It is historic development signifies step forward in relationship between United States and Pakistan. No US State lawmaker has ever embarked on visit with such vast agenda.

Ramos’s visit will include meetings with prominent figures in Pakistan, including Dr. Gohar Ejaz, caretaker Minister of industries and production, as well as engagement with small and medium business community leaders at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ramos is scheduled to meet caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani to discuss ways to strengthen diplomatic relations between two nations.  Before concluding his visit in Karachi, Ramos is set to meet Senate Standing Committee Chairman on Foreign Affairs Farooq Naek and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani along with other engagements.

In Karachi, he will also deliver lecture on entrepreneurship to students of Institute of Business Administration and explore ideas for collaboration between educational institutions in Sindh and New York. This visit comes after relentless efforts by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos to officially declare Sindh and New York as ‘Sister States.’

Ramos’s primary focus during his visit is to explore possibilities of declaring Sindh and Punjab as sister states of New York. This proposal aims to create robust framework for collaboration and partnership between these states, fostering cooperation between their respective universities, hospitals and research institutes.

Upon Ramos’s return from this visit, resolution will be presented in both assemblies to make Sindh and New York official sister states. Establishment of this sister-state relationship is expected to bolster cooperation and facilitate exchanges between two states, including student delegations and scholarships for talented students. Given that Karachi and New York are both coastal cities and commercial centers, this agreement is poised to benefit both regions significantly.

Proposed partnership between Sindh and New York is remarkable development that promises to usher in new era of cooperation between these two regions. Benefits of this collaboration extend beyond educational sector, encompassing various areas such as agriculture, education, health, trade and culture.

In bid to address needs of Pakistani Americans, Ramos will also seek to facilitate access to medical insurance in Pakistan for them. Currently, Pakistani Americans must pay for medical treatment in Pakistan out of their own pockets, despite having costly health insurance in United States. If this issue is resolved, both countries stand to reap financial benefits of this development.

Furthermore, American insurance companies will benefit from paying relatively lower amounts to their customers, as medical treatment in Pakistan is comparatively cost-effective.

For private Pakistani hospitals, this represents an additional source of income, as Pakistani Americans would be more inclined to seek medical treatment in Pakistan, rather than returning to US to avoid unnecessary expenses after having already paid for health insurance.

This initiative is poised to provide essential relief to elderly, retirees and individuals with specific medical needs who wish to stay longer with their families in Pakistan but find it challenging to afford their medical bills.

Idea of providing medical insurance in Pakistan was conceived by Ramos, who hails from New York, home to nearly hundred thousand Pakistani Americans. With intention of benefiting his constituents, Ramos is taking steps to address this issue for all Pakistani-American families.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 03 2023

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