On Sunday, my friend and constituent, Asad Chodury, invited me to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day and to give me an Appreciation Award to thank me for my service. I met Asad back in February after a nearby fire damaged two of his businesses. With the help of my office, alongside @newyorknico, we were able to raise $40k to help them get back on their feet. Pakistan only accounts for a little less than 1% of Earth’s pollution, yet a 3rd of the country is now underwater due to climate change perpetuated by the Global West. As a pillar in New York’s Pakistani community, Asad is currently organizing a relief fund for the people of Pakistan. I will be sharing this resource on my social media once the site is ready to accept donations. If Pakistani asylum seekers need to seek refuge in a city with the largest Pakistani population in the US, we in New York City must welcome them with open arms (just like we did with Ukrainians).