News

PAKPAC Congratulates T-20 Cricket World Cup Champions

 PAKPAC BOD extend their heartiest felicitations to the Pakistan Cricket Team on clinching the T-20 World Cup by defeating Sri Lankan team by eight wickets  in the final match played at  a sell-out Lord's ground in London on Sunday.

"We hadn't won anything since Imran Khan's team at the World Cup in 1992. This is a gift to our nation. Hopefully, it will help cheer them up.” Said Pakistan team captain Younus Khan

PAKPAC BOD are proud of the team’s superb play which aloft Pakistan's flag in the field. Thousands of fans took to the streets across Pakistan to celebrate their country’s victory over Sri Lanka. Hundreds of youngsters, carrying national flags and dancing, thronged major city roads. People distributed sweets and embraced each other, besides sending messages of congratulations. The displaced people of Malakand Division settled in different areas of Islamabad city were also happy over the victory of the Pakistan cricket team. They shed tears and prayed for peace and prosperity of their country. They hoped that the country would also win against terrorists as Pakistan won in the T20 against Sri Lanka.

President Obama’s interview to Pakistan DAWN newspaper

US President Barack Obama, in an exclusive interview to Dawn, has said that he believes the Pakistani state is strong enough to win the military offensive against the extremists.

In this first-ever one-on-one interview by any US president to the Pakistani media, Mr Obama assured the Pakistani nation that he has no desire to seize Pakistan’s nuclear weapons or send US troops inside the country. 

The US president also emphasized the need for resuming the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, which was stalled after the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November last year.  Read Complete interview

Senate Foreign Relations Committees unanimously passes Kerry Lugar Bill

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday unanimously passed Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act that will authorize $ 1.5 billion annually to the key South Asian anti-terror ally for five years. The bipartisan measure will now have to pass the full chamber before the Senate and the House of Representative hold a conference to arrive at a reconciled version of the bill. The US House has already passed the bill. The Senate version – known as Kerry-Lugar Bill- is less restrictive.

The vote at Tuesday’s Senate markup legislation meeting was 16-0 in favor of the measure. Chairman Senator John Kerry emphasized it is timely that the U.S. supported Pakistan’s anti-militancy drive as well as help look after the displaced people of Malakand. Chairing the Committee meeting, Kerry said Pakistan is taking a critical action against the militants and stressed the displacement of millions of people from Swat and other northwestern parts offered the U.S. and Pakistan a moment to help relocate them.

Kerry sounded confident of sorting out differences in the two versions of the bill. “We hope it will pass quickly and effectively. It is a landmark commitment by the United States to the people of Pakistan,” Kerry said at a press conference. “This is a critical moment for Pakistan,” the Massachusetts lawmaker said The US Senate panel incorporated some amendments to the ‘Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act’ while the House’s version, the PEACE Act, seeks some strict conditions on Islamabad. Responding to a question, Senator Kerry was appreciative of the idea of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones. However, the Pakistani counterinsurgency capability assistance fund and ROZs are not part of the Kerry Lugar measure at the moment.

"Today’s vote was an important first step in reforming our strategy toward Pakistan,” said Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). “For far too long, U.S. assistance to Pakistan has been severely lacking in oversight and has  failed to address the needs of the Pakistani people in a comprehensive way.  This bill will help forge a new strategy in Pakistan that will confront extremism in a holistic manner, giving the people of Pakistan the tools they need to combat not only terrorism, but also poverty, corruption and inequality.  I look forward to seeing this bill pass the full Senate in the near future."

Congress approves Emergency Spending bill including aid for Pakistan

The US Congress approved $1.4 billion in economic and security assistance for Pakistan, as the Senate overwhelmingly passed a $106 billion war supplemental bill on Thursday, giving the Obama administration the urgently-needed $225 million as relief assistance for displaced persons of the tribal areas. The sum includes aid for the IDPs, economic and developmental assistance and $700m for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund, which will be available until September 2011.

The money is not linked to the Kerry-Lugar/Berman bills wending their way through Congress and which pledge to provide $1.5bn of non-military aid a year to Pakistan for five, and perhaps 10, years.

Of this amount, a substantial $225 million would be devoted to help address the refugee crisis inside Pakistan, as the country prepares to rehabilitate around three million displaced people of Malakand after clearing the region of the Taliban militants. Islamabad says it needs more than two billion for relief and rehabilitation of its internally displaced persons, who left their homes following the launch of an anti-Taliban offensive in the Swat valley. The US has by far been the biggest contributor to the massive humanitarian aid effort, having already given $165 million.

The funding for Pakistan allocates $707 million to help address the economic crisis, including agriculture and food security, assist the displaced population, strengthen national and provincial governance, expand the rule of law, and improve access to and quality of education. Another $700 million has been allocated to improve Pakistan’s security forces capability under the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund.

PAKPAC Press Releases

PAKPAC reports findings of survey conducted immediately after President Obama’s historic speech to Muslim world in Cairo

Washington DC June 5^th 09: PAKPAC conducted an online survey amongst its readers asking them to rate President Obama’s historic speech to Muslim world in Cairo on June 4th 2009. A total of 10 questions were asked covering various topics and issues. Respondents were also given an opportunity to present their person views for various questions as well. A total of 103 respondents took part in the survey. Overall President Obama’s speech was received very favorably amongst the survey participants, bringing in a feeling of hope and security amongst Pakistani-Americans.

Many of the respondents felt that even though this speech was targeted to the +1.7 billion Muslims, it was quite Arab centric, and did not address issues faced by South east or South west Asia Muslims. Not much reference was made on ongoing military action in Afghanistan or Pakistan, nor was there mention of Kashmir or other regional issues.

Most people are confident that President Obama’s administration understands the geo-political issues and are taking steps to address them. Respondents are concerned how quickly and effectively words of President Obama’s speech will transform to actual policy changes. Pakistani-Americans believe that their concern about positive US policy changes is shared by Pakistanis in Pakistan as well. Majority of the respondents believe that Presidents Obama’s speech and soft diplomacy will result in weakening the extremist element in Muslim world.

The major benefit of President Obama’s speech on Pakistani-Americans is building of their confidence in participating and impacting US foreign policy development. Pakistani-Americans feel they can play an important role in transforming President Obama’s words into effective policy, by fulfilling their American citizenship obligations with a show of more public diplomacy, and more open communication with fellow Americans about Islam and civil liberties. They also feel there is a need to educate fellow American Muslims to become more tolerant in their views about Western society.

Specifically addressing the concerns of Pakistan and Pakistani-Americans, they see a need of increased US economic investment in Pakistan, increased support of Pakistan anti terrorist efforts, increased support of building democracy in Pakistan. Survey participants also felt that since focus of US foreign policy in the near future is on Pakistan, this speech would have been more effective if it was delivered from Islamabad than Cairo.

Complete report of the survey is available at PAKPAC website.

How would you overall rate the content of President Obama’s speech
71.84 %    -   Excellent
20.39 %    -   Very Good
  4.85 %    -    Good
  1.94 %    -    Fair
  0.97 %    -    Poor  

Did President Obama highlight the issues that you were interested in his speech?

85.44 %    -    Yes
14.56 %    -    No

Do you think that this speech will positively change the views of the segment of people in Pakistan with anti-American sentiment?

62.14 %    -    Yes
10.68 %    -    No
27.18 %    -    Maybe  

Do you believe that views and perspectives outlined by President Obama will be followed by actual policy changes from his Administration?

60.19 %    -    Yes
  9.71 %    -    No
30.10 %    -    Maybe  

After President Obama's speech, do you feel that the American Muslims (Pakistani Americans) feel that there is a role that they have to empower some of the policy initiatives outlined?

78.64 %    -    Yes
  6.80 %    -    No
14.56 %    -    Maybe  

Which of the following effects do you believe, the speech today by President Obama had on the extreme voices in the world, who use faith to justify murder and harm on to people of other faiths?

72.82 %    -    Made those voices WEAK and IRRELEVANT
  1.94 %    -    Made those voices STRONGER
25.24 %    -    No Change  

A number of American Muslim organizations have applauded President Obama’s speech. Some of them are: 

ISNA

CAIR

ADC

Islamic Information Center ##

PAKPAC BOD  meetings in San Francisco - July1-5

PAKPAC BOD will hold their planning and business meetings during AAPNA summer meeting in San Francisco from July 1-5^th.  In addition to their working meetings PAKPAC will hold a seminar and workshop on Saturday July 4^th  at 12 noon on “Future of Advocacy of Pakistani American Community in United States- Challenges and Opportunities” at Yerba Buena Ballroom Salon 6 in San Francisco Marriott Hotel. For further information about the seminar please call 202-558-6404. Please register online for this event.

PAKPAC BOD's meet with Ambassador Holbrooke

PAKPAC BOD’s Saud Anwar, Faiz Rehman, Rafat Mahmood, Parvez Shah, & Irfan Malik and Maryland community members met with Ambassador Holbrooke, Congressman Cummings & Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee on June 12^th to discuss current US-Pakistan relationship. There were three Objectives of the meeting -

1. Immediate & increased assistance for Swat IDP’s
2. Quick approval of Economic assistance bills (Kerry-Lugar & Berman)
3. Continued dialogue between Pakistani Diaspora, State department, & US legislators

It was agreed by all participants that the meeting met its objectives. Ambassador Holbrooke promised to keep up his efforts for helping Swat IDP’s. He acknowledged more than $2 billion are needed to meet the needs of Swat IDP’s. He wanted Pakistani Americans to reach out to their elected representatives urging them for a quick approval of aid bills to Pakistan. Ambassador Holbrooke agreed to hold on going dialogue between State Department, US Congress, and Pakistani American community.

Twelve Talking points were developed by the participants of the meeting.  Ambassador Holbrooke agreed with all talking points with the exception of the issue of Drone attacks.  Ambassador Holbrooke reiterated the importance of US-Pakistan relationship, stating that US administration now believes that they have to succeed in Pakistan for them to succeed in Afghanistan.

Media coverage of the meeting can be found at  infoZine  & State Department Reaches Out to Pakistani-Americans

PAKPAC BOD's meet Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) & Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN)

PAKPAC BOD’s Saud Anwar, Rafat Mahmood, Parvez Shah, & Irfan Malik and  Nayab Siddiqui met with Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) & Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) to discuss recently approved US aid bill (HR 1886) to Pakistan.

PAKPAC BOD Congressman Moran to be Champion for Pakistan issues to which he agreed, and said that he would make his staff available for such efforts. He however asked to get Pakistan caucus active on US-Pakistan relationship.

PAKPAC BOD Congressman Ellison to be champion of Pakistan issues in the Foreign Relations sub-committee on south Asia, we shared with him our desire for him to become the chair of that committee, he is interested in it and would work with us to make it happen. Congressman Ellison feels that Pakistani Americans are the most organized of all Muslim communities in USA.

Meeting with Congressman Chris Van Hollen

A group of Maryland residents and PAKPAC Executive Director Irfan Malik met with Congressman Chris Van Hollen on June 15th. Congressman Van Hollen is the main sponsor of Afghanistan-Pakistan Security and Prosperity Enhancement Act (Bill # HR 1318) known as ROZ bill, The group apprised Congressman Van Hollen of the current issues faced by the Pakistani-Americans. Congressman Van Hollen assured the group US continued support for democracy to root in Pakistan. The group asked Congressman Van Hollen to facilitate meeting with State Department.

Meeting with Pakistani Congressional staffers

PAKPAC BOD met with Pakistani staffers at Capital Hill. The need to develop a mechanism for keeping the Community & Pakistani staffers informed about Congressional proceedings was discussed. The staffers emphasized the need for Pakistani Community to speak with one voice.

Ambassador Haqqani addresses Town Hall meeting

On June 20, 2009 Mr. Hussain Haqqani, the Pakistan's Ambassador to USA addressed a town hall meeting in Potomac Md. The meeting was arranged by Washington DC metro area Pakistani Diaspora including PAKPAC Executive Director Irfan Malik. About 150 individuals of Pakistani origin attended the two hour meeting. Ambassador Haqqani central theme revolved around three points. Pakistan needs to fight terrorism, allow democracy to flourish even though it has its problems, and educate the 42 percent of the kids who do not go to school. He also talked about the elite of Pakistan stating that cost of educating Pakistani students overseas exceeds Pakistan education budget.

His speech was followed by question and answer session. As expected from the Pakistani expatriate audience who belong to the so called educated upper middle class, the questions were about how to tackle Talibans and Al Qaida, corruption and accountability, and leadership of the two main political parties. He stated you can make changes by working within the system. However, change can only come if when we work for it.

Senator Mikulski requests  Secretary Clinton for more help for Swat IDP's

On PAKPAC supporters request, Senator Mikulski (D-MD)  senior member of powerful Senate Appropriations Committee has asked Secretary of State Clinton to provide additional humanitarian aid for Swat IDP's. Urging Secretary Clinton to learn from President Bush Administration incoherent policy towards Pakistan. Senator Mikulski addressed the danger of Swat IDP's being exploited by extremist element in Pakistan. Read full letter.

PAKPAC urges its supporters to request their Senator and Congressperson to expedite humanitarian aid for Swat IDP's. US administration also needs to ask for other nations in the world to step up and increase their help for IDP's.

Civil Liberties

Attorney General Holder vows to protect American Muslims

WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder released the following statement relating to President Obama’s historic speech today in Cairo, Egypt:

 “The President's pledge for a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim community takes root here in the Justice Department where we are committed to using criminal and civil rights laws to protect Muslim Americans.  A top priority of this Justice Department is a return to robust civil rights enforcement and outreach in defending religious freedoms and other fundamental rights of all of our fellow citizens in the workplace, in the housing market, in our schools and in the voting booth. 

 “There are those who will continue to want to divide by fear - to pit our national security against our civil liberties - but that is a false choice. We have a solemn responsibility to protect our people while we also protect our principles.”

Read full report of Department of Justice efforts to protect civil liberties of Muslim Americans.

Future Activities

AAPNA Convention San Francisco July 1-5

USCIS Immigration Stakeholder meeting  - June 30th

Meeting with Justice Depart Civil Rights group - July 22nd

Upcoming Seminars at Think Tanks

To get information about future seminars and events relating to US-Pakistan relations, please visit the following websites

Atlantic Council

Brookings Institution

Heritage Foundation

Middle East Institute

SAIS