Mansoor Qureshi becomes the first Pakistani-American adviser to the Virginia governor

Virginia, In a historic development, Mansoor Qureshi has become the first Pakistani-American to serve as an adviser to the Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin. This appointment marks a significant milestone for the state’s Asian-American community, with Qureshi now playing a key role in shaping Virginia’s policies on commerce, trade, and community relations.

Qureshi, who was appointed as part of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board (VAAB), will be advising Governor Youngkin on ways to enhance economic and cultural ties between Virginia and Asian nations, particularly Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. He will also focus on addressing issues that affect the Asian community within the Commonwealth, especially in areas like commerce, education, and government services.

“I am honoured to serve on this esteemed board and contribute to Virginia’s growth and development,” Qureshi said in an exclusive interview with Geo News. “I look forward to working with Governor Youngkin and my fellow board members to address the needs of our diverse communities and strengthen ties with Asian nations.”

The VAAB acts as a formal liaison between Virginia’s administration and the growing Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. As a board member, Qureshi’s priority is to address the challenges faced by these communities, ensuring that their concerns are heard and acted upon by the state government.

Qureshi emphasised the importance of political engagement within ethnic communities, particularly South Asians. “Muslims, Indians, and Pakistanis are some of the most educated and influential communities in Virginia,” he noted, “yet many are not politically active. They don’t always know how to resolve their issues or seek government assistance during difficult times.”

In his new role, Qureshi aims to bridge this gap by encouraging more political participation among South Asians. He highlighted that out of 400,000 Muslims living in Virginia, around 250,000 are registered voters, with roughly 40,000 Pakistani-Americans also on the voter rolls. These numbers, he believes, could play a decisive role in state elections.

Qureshi also voiced concerns about the current educational system, which, according to him, mandates extreme liberal ideologies that are unpopular with many ethnic and religious minorities. However, he urged the community to engage more actively in politics rather than remain passive.

Born in Nawabshah, Pakistan, and educated at Cadet College Petaro and NED University in Karachi, Qureshi moved to the United States in 2001. Despite being diagnosed with cancer early in his career, Qureshi overcame the illness and went on to establish himself as an IT professional, entrepreneur, and staffing and recruitment specialist.

Throughout his career, Qureshi has been active in American politics, though he has never run for office himself. He was notably involved in the campaign of Juan Pablo Segura for the Virginia Senate District 31, where he helped mobilise the South Asian community through cultural events featuring Pakistani cuisine, which were credited with boosting Segura’s popularity.

Qureshi’s appointment is being hailed as a victory for the Pakistani-American community, especially at a time when most elected Pakistani-Americans in state legislatures are affiliated with the Democratic Party. His appointment under the Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin is seen as a rare and significant achievement for the community.

Looking ahead, Qureshi is focused on strengthening ties between Virginia and Pakistan, aiming to create new economic opportunities for both regions. His appointment as adviser is seen as a step toward greater political representation and influence for South Asians in the state.