LAHORE, April 1: The Pakistan American Business Association (PABA) has offered to help the Pakistani businessmen in obtaining financial assistance from a $300 million fund allocated by the US administration for developing joint ventures with the Americans.

The offer was made by PABA president Hanif Akhtar at a meeting with the executive committee and office-bearers of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday.

The PABA intends to organize a series of seminars in Pakistan to educate local businessmen on starting businesses in collaboration with the Americans.

"After 9/11, the role of the PABA has become more significant. The PABA had played an important role in securing the release of a number of Pakistanis out of over 200 held after the tragic incident. Nobody knew there whereabouts (after they were arrested by the US government)," Mr Akhtar said.