ISLAMABAD, May 12 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani will be Patron in Chief of the newly established Pakistan International Council, which has been set up as a wide ranging public diplomacy initiative aimed at promoting friendship and goodwill about Pakistan through strong people to people contacts.

Prominent Overseas Pakistanis and Friends of Pakistan will be part of this body which would work globally to promote Pakistan. Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large Javed Malik will be the Chairman of Pakistan International Council, whereas a Board of Governors comprising prominent Overseas Pakistanis and Friends of Pakistan will be announced next week.

Pakistan International Council (PIC) will work closely with Overseas Pakistanis, as well as Friends of Pakistan to build positive cultural relations, closer business and commerce ties, and highlight a positive image about Pakistan as a progressive, moderate and democratic country. 

PIC will establish Pakistan Friendship Societies worldwide as well as initiate projects to involve the overseas Pakistani community in the nation building process.

It will also create networking opportunities for Pakistani and international businessmen through establishing Pakistan Business Groups worldwide which would work in co‑ordination with the public and private sector in order to enhance cooperation.

Special projects will also be initiated to remove misconceptions about Pakistan in the international media and a series of activities are being planned in this regard which also include Pakistan International Media Forum which will bring together international media professionals and journalists that report about Pakistan.

Similarly strong democratic relations will be established between democratic institutions and individuals in order to promote democracy in Pakistan. 

PIC will initiate activities to develop people to people contacts globally, promote cultural exchanges and business and commerce relations, support democracy in Pakistan and organise the overseas Pakistani community worldwide.

The Prime Minister attaches great importance to the role being played by overseas Pakistanis, and has directed the Pakistan International Council to work closely with the overseas Pakistani community worldwide and play a role in bringing the community together.

The Prime Minister has directed the PIC to also organize the Global Pakistani Awards of Excellence which would recognize the achievements of overseas Pakistanis and Friends of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister also directed PIC to activate the Overseas Pakistani community and Friends of Pakistan to highlight the issue of internally displaced persons and help extend global public support to these people.

Pakistan International Council will be initiating an awareness campaign alongside the Pakistan missions abroad and support the Prime Minister’s initiatives and the official fund being established by the government of Pakistan.