Houston (Special Correspondent) The Pak–US Friends Forum (PUFF) and World Watch Alert were formally inaugurated in Houston at the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, 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 chaired by Asif Ali Bhatti, Chairman, CEO and Chief Editor, who outlined the vision behind PUFF and World Watch Alert. He emphasized the need for credible and inclusive spaces that promote informed discourse, cross-border dialogue, and responsible communication in an era increasingly challenged by misinformation.
The ceremony was honored by an address from the Chief Guest, Muhammad Aftab Chaudhary, Consul General of Pakistan in Houston, who underscored the vital role of community engagement and sustained dialogue in further strengthening Pak–US relations.
Reaffirming his full support for the mission of the Pak–US Friends Forum (PUFF), he emphasized that he would continue his efforts to enhance cooperation and understanding between communities and governments in both countries.
The Consul General highlighted that such initiatives play a key role in fostering mutual trust, people-to-people connections, and collaborative partnerships, aligned with the shared objective of advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Stephen McDowell, Assistant Provost and John H. Phipps Professor of Communication at Florida State University, who highlighted the critical role of media and communication in shaping international relations and public understanding.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Asad Ali Shah, PhD (University of Saskatchewan, Canada) and Founder/CEO of Fake News Watchdog (FNW), underscored the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation. He spoke about strategies to counter this challenge and announced collaboration between FNW and PUFF. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was later signed between PUFF and FNW to reinforce a shared commitment to media accountability and fact-based reporting.
Najia Ashar, Executive Director of PULSE, spoke on the importance of community awareness and collective responsibility in countering misinformation and strengthening public discourse.
Recorded messages and remarks from advisory board members and distinguished speakers highlighted themes of academic collaboration, ethical journalism, environmental awareness, and inclusive public engagement.
Those who addressed or conveyed support included Dr. Baig (Pakistani scientist at UCSD and Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University), Dr. Asaf Qadeer (renowned physician-surgeon and public intellectual, graduate of King Edward Medical College), Prof. Jahangir Khattak (Director Communications, City University New York), Afzal Butt (Senior Journalist and President, PFUJ), Mujeeb Kazi (philanthropist and Kashmir cause advocate), and Iftikhar Sherazi (senior broadcaster, anchor, and writer, Dawn TV Islamabad).
Other prominent supporters included Dr. Tayyab Shah (Geospatial Research Manager, Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research, University of Saskatchewan), Anwer Iqbal (Senior Journalist, Dawn Group, Washington DC), Raza Durrani (MBA, Johns Hopkins University), Dr. Prof. Zafar Iqbal (PhD and Postdoc in Communication from the UK and USA; Vice Chancellor, Gomal University D.I. Khan), Mujtaba Zaidi (CEO, Anthro Insights Pakistan), and Prof. Syed Rehan Hasan (Patron-in-Chief, Fake News Watchdog).
Siraj Narsi, President of PAGH and Advisory Board Member of PUFF, highlighted the importance of PUFF as a think tank and assured unconditional community support for the initiative. Brief remarks were also delivered by Dr. Barkat Charania, Trustee Emeritus and Co-Founder of the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston.
The gathering further included contributions from Dr. Prof. Mudassar Siddique (President, College of DuPage), Dr. Prof. Jalaluddin Qureshi (Hydro-geologist and environmental sciences expert), Dr. Prof. Awais Saleem (Associate Professor, Lamar University, Texas), Syed Waqar Aziz (Founder and President, N&J Oilfield Services, Houston), and Muhammad Shahbaz Mian (Former President, Lahore Press Club, and senior broadcast journalist).
The event was hosted by Alisha Ali, digital content creator and Founder of the Pakistan Youth Forum, who emphasized the pivotal role of youth and media in shaping future narratives. A souvenir shield was presented to the Consul General by the founders of PUFF and WWA along with advisory board members.
People from all walks of life attended the inaugural ceremony. The Pak–US Friends Forum and World Watch Alert aim to serve as ongoing platforms for dialogue, research, and responsible storytelling across borders.