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| Zia Iqbal |
President of Pakistan Association Of Greater Austin
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Please give a brief biography for our readers. |
My name is Zia Iqbal. I received my B.S. in Electronics Engineering from N.E.D. University of Engineering & Technology. I came to the United States in January 1986 and Pursued my M.S. in Electrical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology. After I graduated I started working in a Business Equipment Servicing company in New Jersey.
In 1993, I moved to Boca Raton, Florida where I joined as a Software Consultant in IBM. In 1994, I joined IBM Corporation as a Permanent Employee and moved to Austin, Texas in March 1996. Currently, I am working in IBM Austin as a Project Manager in Linux Technology Center. |
How do you best describe yourself today, and what hurdles you had to cross to get here? |
I describe myself as a logical single tracked person. Coming to United States was a struggle in itself, leaving your family, friends and home country behind. By the grace of GOD, I have completed my education and fulfilled my family’s expectations.
I am always thankful to GOD that he has given me this opportunity to achieve what I have achieved in my life. I have a wonderful family; wife (Saima) and GOD blessed me with two daughters (Samia and Ramsha) and a son (Mustafa). |
Do you miss your native land? What you will like to do for your native land? |
| Yes, indeed! I miss it very much, me and family visit Pakistan every other year. My decision to leave Pakistan was primarily to get my Master’s. |
Please share your achievements and contribution towards the greater community. |
Currently, I am the President of Pakistan Association of Greater Austin (P.A.G.A.). This organization represents American Pakistani’s living in greater Austin area. As a team, we sponsored events like Spring Mela’s , Musical Shows and some other seminar’s for American Pakistani’s in greater Austin area.
Our long term vision is to create a Pakistan House in this area. This requires a lot of effort and persistence within our self’s. I am confident that more people join P.A.G.A. and come forward for this important volunteer work. |
If you would give only one simple advice to the community, what would it be? |
| It is very important for all of us to be a model citizen as each and every one of us represents Pakistan in our country of United States of America. Unfortunately, these are difficult times for all of us as a negative image have been portrayed for our country but we need to work hard to improve on this image and make as extra effort come out of our comfort zones and start involving in Local Activities, Politics, Schools and Community’s in general. All these extra effort will help us remove the negative image of Pakistan. |
