Pak–US Friends Forum, Media Group Launched in Houston

Houston (Special Correspondent) The Pak–US Friends Forum (PUFF), an international think tank, along with the World Watch Alert (WWA) Media Group, was formally inaugurated at the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston (PAGH), marking the launch of two new platforms dedicated to dialogue, research, and ethical media engagement between Pakistan and the United States.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Asif Ali Bhatti, Chairman & CEO and Chief Editor, who outlined the vision behind PUFF and WWA. He emphasized the importance of creating credible platforms that promote informed discussion, cross-border understanding, responsible communication, and fact-based public discourse.

The event’s Chief Guest, Mr. Muhammad Aftab Chaudhary, Consul General of Pakistan in Houston, highlighted the critical role of community engagement in strengthening Pak–US relations. Reaffirming his full support for PUFF, he pledged continued efforts to enhance cooperation between communities and governments, with a shared commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

A keynote address was delivered by Dr. Stephen McDowell, Assistant Provost and John H. Phipps Professor of Communication at Florida State University, who spoke on the evolving role of media and communication in shaping international relations.

Addressing the growing challenge of misinformation, Dr. Asad Ali Shah, Founder and CEO of Fake News Watchdog (FNW), stressed the urgent need for stronger media accountability and collaborative strategies to counter disinformation. He also announced cooperation between FNW and PUFF.
Najia Ashar, Executive Director of PULSE, underlined the importance of informed communities and shared responsibility in strengthening public dialogue and combating false narratives.

Recorded and virtual messages were received from several distinguished advisory board members and scholars, including:

• Dr. Stephen McDowell (Florida State University)

• Dr. Baig, Pakistani scientist at UCSD and Harvard graduate

• Dr. Asaf Qadeer, renowned physician, surgeon, and scholar

• Prof. Jahangir Khattak, Director Communications, City University New York

• Afzal Butt, Senior Journalist and President PFUJ

• Mujeeb Kazi, philanthropist, Kashmiri scholar, and businessman

• Iftikhar Sherazi, senior broadcaster and anchor, Dawn TV Islamabad

• Dr. Tayyab Shah, Geospatial Research Manager, University of Saskatchewan

• Anwer Iqbal, Senior Journalist, Dawn Group, Washington DC

• Raza Durrani, MBA Johns Hopkins University

• Dr. Prof. Zafar Iqbal, Vice Chancellor Gomal University, Pakistan

All speakers emphasized academic collaboration, ethical journalism, environmental awareness, and fact-based public engagement, and expressed their willingness to work with PUFF and WWA in advisory capacities.

Support for the initiative was also expressed by Mujtaba Zaidi, CEO Anthro Insights Pakistan, and Prof. Syed Rehan Hasan, Patron-in-Chief of Fake News Watchdog.

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During the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between PUFF and Fake News Watchdog (FNW) to formalize cooperation aimed at countering misinformation and strengthening media accountability.

Siraj Narsi, President of PAGH and advisory board member of PUFF, emphasized the significance of the think tank and assured full community support for the initiative.

Brief remarks were delivered by advisory board members including:

• Dr. Asad Ali Shah

• Dr. Barkat Charania, Co-Founder and Trustee Emeritus, Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston

• Dr. Mudassar Siddique, President, College of DuPage

• Dr. Jalaludin Qureshi, environmental scientist and water resources expert

• Dr. Awais Saleem, Associate Professor, Lamar University, Texas

• Syed Waqar Aziz, Founder & President, N&J Oilfield Services

• Muhammad Shahbaz Mian, former President Lahore Press Club and senior journalist

The event was hosted by Alisha Ali, digital content creator and Founder of Pakistan Youth Forum, who highlighted the pivotal role of youth and media in shaping future narratives.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a souvenir shield to the Consul General by the founder of PUFF and WWA, alongside advisory board members.

The Pak–US Friends Forum and World Watch Alert Media Group aim to function as ongoing platforms for dialogue, research, and responsible storytelling, fostering stronger people-to-people and institutional connections across borders.