WASHINGTON DC: Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President of HKSCA,became the first member from any Sister Cities of Houston to be given the honour ofSister Cities International’s 60th Anniversary Circle of Distinguished Volunteers.
This award was created to honour those unique individuals who through their committed and dedicated efforts, did best to carry forward the legacy ofPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower of peace in their own communities. It also recognizes their efforts and sincerity in advancing the mission and cause ofSister Cities International mission over the years.
The Houston Karachi Sister City Association (HKSC) also received the prestigiousSCI 2016 Innovation Award for Humanitarian Assistance. This was for theInstallation of a Submersible Water Pump with Reverse Osmosis Filtration Plantin a city which contained a population of more than 500,000 people.
Ambassadors from 25 countries including Honorable Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of Pakistan; Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President HKSCA; ILyas Choudry, Collaborative Partner HHRD Director of Programs; Asif Khan, Regional Coordinator of HHRD for the US Mid-Atlantic Region; Tomiko Olah, Mayor of Houston Office Sister Cities Manager; Ellen Goldberg, Farida Sheikh and major Pakistani electronic & print media were in attendance.
The event was also attended by honourable guests such asBill Boerum, Chairman Emeritus SCI Board of Directors (2016); Stephen T. "Tim" Quigley, Jr. Chairman Emeritus SCI Board of Directors (2017); Mary D. Kane, President & CEO of SCI.