News

Brookings Institution tracks variables of Reconstruction & Security in Pakistan

The Pakistan Index is a statistical compilation of economic, public opinion and security data. This resource will provide updated and historical information on various data, including security, governance, quality of life, economic development, and job creation.

The index is designed to assemble the best possible quantitative indicators of the reconstruction and security efforts underway in Pakistan, to track them over time, and to offer an objective set of criteria for benchmarking performance. It serves as an in-depth, non-partisan assessment of U.S. and international efforts in Pakistan, and is based on data compiled primarily from government and non-government organizations, both in Pakistan and the United States. Although measurements of progress in any counterinsurgency effort – like that of the Pakistan-led and U.S.-supported strategy – can never be reduced to purely quantitative data, a comprehensive compilation of such information can provide a clearer picture and contribute to a healthier and better informed debate. The index report is revised every two weeks. Read the latest Index report.

CIA exposed by frontline role along Afghanistan and Pakistan border

The suicide bombing of a CIA base in a remote mountain region of Afghanistan this week highlights the agency's increasingly militaristic role in the region.

The base was a key part of the secret US mission to kill militant leaders across the border with Pakistan using unmanned drone aircraft. Seven CIA operatives were killed in the bombing and several more seriously injured.

The blast on Wednesday in Khost province is the second most deadly in the CIA's history, eclipsed only by the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut in which eight employees died.

Among the dead was the head of the CIA team, a woman described as a veteran of the agency's secret intelligence operations. The team was based at Forward Operating Base Chapman, a camp once used by the Afghan army but now a central planning point for the US drone war.

Remote-controlled aircraft are a crucial element of the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban hiding along the Afghanistan and Pakistan border.

Although Barack Obama has scaled back on some of the more controversial aspects of the CIA's engagement in counter-terrorism, including its involvement in interrogations, he has quietly increased airstrikes by drones which are thought to have killed more than 300 people in the past year.

In particular, the Obama administration has approved an expansion of the CIA's drone attacks in Baluchistan, the area of Pakistan where many of the Taliban leadership are thought to be hiding. Read Complete story

US forces mounted secret Pakistan raids in hunt for al-Qaida

American special forces have conducted multiple clandestine raids into Pakistan's tribal areas as part of a secret war in the border region where Washington is pressing to expand its drone assassination programme.

A former Nato officer said the incursions, only one of which has been previously reported, occurred between 2003 and 2008, involved helicopter-borne elite soldiers stealing across the border at night, and were never declared to the Pakistani government.

"The Pakistanis were kept entirely in the dark about it. It was one of those things we wouldn't confirm officially with them," said the source, who had detailed knowledge of the operations.

Such operations are a matter of sensitivity in Pakistan. While public opinion has grudgingly tolerated CIA-led drone strikes in the tribal areas, any hint of American "boots on the ground" is greeted with virulent condemnation.

After the only publicly acknowledged special forces raid in September 2008, Pakistan's foreign office condemned it as "a grave provocation" while the military threatened retaliatory action.

The military source said that was the fourth raid of previous years. Two of the others targeted Taliban and al-Qaida "high-value targets" near the border, while the third was to rescue a crashed Predator drone. He said that one of the capture raids succeeded, the other failed and the US sent elite soldiers to the downed Predator because they did not trust Pakistani forces. "People were afraid they would take the parts and reverse- engineer its components," he said. Read Complete story

Pakistan makes into top10 crises-hit countries

As ill-luck would have it, Pakistan made into top ten humanitarian crises of the world this year, an independent global organisation reported. The Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is coming up with a list of top ten humanitarian crises since 1998 and it is the second consecutive year that Pakistan is in the list of leading crises-hit countries.

The list is drawn from MSF’s operational activities in about 70 countries, where the organisation’s medical teams witnessed some of the worst humanitarian conditions.  According to the report, three distinct patterns dominated in crises-hit areas of the world. 1) governments blocked lifesaving assistance to trapped populations including Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Sudan, where aid groups including some MSF teams were expelled; 2) respect for civilian safety and neutral humanitarian action further eroded such as in Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia where people, in some cases aid workers, were either indiscriminately or directly attacked; 3) people suffering from a host of largely ignored diseases were again neglected by the international community and those living with HIV/Aids saw their chances of receiving life extending therapy further diminished. Read Complete story

Pakistan based Think Tank to focus on Pakistan-India relationship

Pakistan Study Centre at the University of the Punjab in Lahore has commenced an “INDIA DESK. India Desk is a research wing of the Pakistan Study Centre focused on Pakistan - India relationship and on India in general. The Pakistan Study Centre, University of the Punjab was established in 1981 with the main objective to promote and undertake research on themes relating to history, politics, foreign affairs, economy, culture and languages of Pakistan. To begin with, the Desk plans to publish:  (1) Policy Reports and (2) Comments. The Policy Reports deal with current issues of interest, while the Comments, will analyze important news subjects, about India, on monthly basis.  For more information visit www.pscpu.edu.pk

Viewpoint

Tom Friedman on Muslims and Terrorism: Getting it Wrong Again - John L. Esposito

Thomas Friedman, in his Dec. 15 column "www.jihad.com" repeats and reinforces the same tired, totally incorrect, but commonly-made generalization preached in his July 9, 2005 column, "If it's a Muslim Problem, It Needs a Muslim Solution," that "no major Muslim cleric or religious body has ever issued a fatwa condemning Osama bin Laden." In his most recent column, Friedman continues to assert, despite readily available information to the contrary, that " a "violent, jihadist minority seems to enjoy the most 'legitimacy' in the Muslim world today" and that "Few political and religious leaders dare to speak out against them in public"....."How many fatwas -- religious edicts -- have been issued by the leading bodies of Islam against Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda?" Friedman asks and then answers his own question with "Very few."

The real truth is that Muslim religious leaders have indeed spoken out strongly and often to condemn terrorism and violence, but mainstream media like the NY Times and columnists like Friedman have chosen to ignore them. For example, Muslim scholars' and organizations' condemnations (including fatwas) of the 9/11 attacks, given from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia to the US, can be seen here. As reported by the BBC, already on September 14, 2001, statements condemning terrorism in general and Bin Laden in particular were made by a significant, influential and diverse group of religious leaders, ranging from Shaykh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the Grand Shaykh of al-Azhar University in Cairo (viewed by many as one of the highest authorities in Sunni Islam) to Ayatollah Kashani in Iran. In addition, the North America Fiqh Council joined with other internationally prominent Islamic scholars in issuing a formal fatwa on 27 September 2001 condemning bin Laden's actions of 9/11 and also sanctioning Muslim participation in the United States' military response in Afghanistan. For a more comprehensive list of statements made by individual leaders and organizations pre and post- 9/11, attacks in Europe and elsewhere, click here. It is inconceivable that a knowledgeable reporter could be so unaware of major polls on Muslim attitudes towards religious extremism and terrorism and the many statements made by important Islamic leaders and organizations around the world denouncing acts of terrorism. Read complete article

Ending the Culture of Suspicion - Shuja Nawaz

The 21st century has ushered in changes in the global political landscape that demand a transformation of the mindset of policymakers around the globe. NATO and the European Union no longer inhabit a world of black and white, with a clear and defined set of antagonists and allies. Global issues that bring together North America and Europe and help create partnerships with other countries around the world too often separate the allies.

Climate change, trade, energy dependence, and access to resources of the international financial institutions – all these issues create different dynamics among nations and groups of nations. Political allies become economic competitors. A U.S.-India civilian nuclear deal may be celebrated one day, but a bitter battle between these two “friends” erupts the next day, when discussions on greenhouse gases takes place in the context of global warming. China and the U.S. become co-dependent in trade but clash on the environment. Similarly, a West dependent on Middle Eastern oil finds itself coping with hostility on political issues such as Israel and the rights of the Palestinians, or the management of the international financial institutions. And some denizens of the Muslim world have sworn lasting enmity against some Western nations. Yes, most of the attackers that took part in the suicide missions against the United States on September 11, 2001 were from the U.S.’s major Middle East ally: Saudi Arabia.  Today, the United States is Pakistan’s major trading partner and supplier of economic assistance. Yet, according to an August 2009 poll by the Pew Research Center, some 64 percent of Pakistanis surveyed regard the United States as an enemy of Pakistan. 

How does one explain these contradictory trends? How should one attempt to unravel these issues and improve relationships between countries? What are the barriers that remain today, and how can we dismantle them? Read Complete article

Readers Corner

Media's view of Pakistan 61 years ago

Kamran Mir shared with us a historical media coverage of Pakistan from January 20th  1948. We have provided a link for our readers. Its interesting to note how much or how little things have changed.

Announcement

ISNA accepting applications for following fellowships, scholarships, and internships

ISNA Fellwships:

ISNA is accepting applications for HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, to equip Muslim graduate students with experience and training to become effective leaders of American non-profits.

Muslim Americans pursuing Master’s degrees in philanthropic studies, non‐profit management or other related fields are invited to apply for the upcoming class of fellows. Internship, Scholarship and Stipend Included. Application Deadline: Feb 1st, 2010. For further information visit  www.isna.net/fellowship  Or Contact nsaleem@isna.net for how to apply

ISNA Scholarships:

ISNA proudly announces the  Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship. Twenty scholarships awarded annually based on merit, academic achievement, and financial need. Application Deadline: May 1st, 2010. For further information visit  www.isna.net/scholarship Or Contact nsaleem@isna.net for how to apply

ISNA Internship 

·                     Engage in hands-on experience and meaningful projects 

·                     Gain a greater understanding of non-profit work in the U.S.

·                     Develop professional skills in a work setting with Islamic values

·                     Gain networking opportunities for future employment

·                     Contribute to the betterment of the American Muslim Community

For further information visit  www.isna.net/internship  Or Contact nsaleem@isna.net for how to apply

Muslim Public Service Network accepting applications for Fellowship Program:

MPSN inspires, educates, and trains exceptional American Muslims in public service and civic engagement in order to contribute meaningfully to their community and their country.

Live in Washington D.C. and Intern with the think-tank, NGO, or non-profit of your choice!

Through the MPSN Summer Fellowship Program, the current generation of American Muslims is emerging into the public service and public policy arenas. The Summer Internship Program is designed to bring American Muslim students from diverse backgrounds to Washington, D.C. to live, study and work together while creating a cohesive network of talented American Muslims pursuing careers in public service and public policy. MPSN’s internship component is combined with a comprehensive academic curriculum, professional guest speakers, mentoring,  community building and networking.

Gain valuable professional and personal experience! Live with fellow Muslims from around the nation! Spend your summer with like-minded individuals and help create the next chapter in

Apply Today!  http://www.muslimpublicservice.org/apply2010.pdf

Visit: http://www.muslimpublicservice.org/ for more information

Events & Activities

PAKPAC and BORDC to campaign for revision to USA PATRIOT Act at Capital Hill on Feb 3^rd.

Three provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act are set to sunset at the end of 2009, and Congress is currently considering a number of bills on the subject. Some bills, such as the JUSTICE Act, the USA PATRIOT Amendments Act, and the FISA Amendments Act of 2009, would institute essential civil liberties protections, allow some provisions to sunset, and remedy serious problems with other PATRIOT powers (such as national security letters). Other bills, however, aim to reauthorize these provisions without meaningful protections for civil liberties. PAKPAC, BORDC, and other Civil Liberty organizations are holding a day long event at Capital Hill, Washington DC on Wednesday Feb 3^rd to get the PATIOT ACT repealed to preserve maximum civil liberties and security in USA.  Further details of the event to be provided soon.

PAKPAC New President assumes office

On January 1^st PAKPAC President Elect Dr. Mohammad Suleman assumed the responsibilities of President PAKPAC from Dr. Saud Anwar. At this takeover of responsibility, Dr. Suleman said “It is a great honor for me to be given the opportunity to serve PAKPAC as their president for the year 2010-2011. PAKPAC like any other upcoming organization has its ups and down, I have been involved as a member of PAKPAC since its inception as a political wing of Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America. As a political advocacy organization we were able to achieve many important results because of its member’s political acumen. We had very active past presidents who had and still are serving the organization. PAKPAC immediate past President Dr. Saud Anwer has in real sense rejuvenated our committee and has added new blood into the association. It will be a hard act to follow. I will need the help of all our board of directors and members. Our immediate need is to streamline our bylaws and continue the work we had started to influence the legislative and executive branch of our government to protect our rights as United States citizens. We will have to expand our organization to all states and have members on the board from each state. With the help of everybody God willing we will achieve our goals. I look forward to my new challenges, and am hopeful that your support will make my task easier”.

Dr. Suleman enumerated the number of initiatives that PAKPAC had recently embarked on; notably amongst them is PAKPAC work with US legislators and various branches of US Administration, including, Department of State, USAID, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transport, US Customs and Immigration Services, etc, helping Pakistani Americans with civil liberties, travel, visa and many other issues.

Over a dozen Pakistan organizations under the leadership of PAKPAC organized a Pakistan Advocacy Day in Washington DC on Feb 26^th 09. Hundreds of participants met with sixty five US Senators and Representatives to make them aware of the issues faced by Pakistanis.

PAKPAC alleviated the issue of IDP’s from Swat in May 09, and worked to get timely and adequate help for them. PAKPAC helped State Department in getting female doctors to help Swat IDP’s. PAKPAC also helped its readers by providing listing of NGO’s working on ground in Swat.

PAKPAC worked for the passage, favorable provisions, and acceptance of the Kerry Lugar-Berman bill.

PAKPAC highlighted the work of Pakistan based NGO’s at an event at Capital hill Washington Dc on Oct 20^th 09. Over 20 Congresspersons attended this event. In the afternoon session Pakistani Americans met with officials from US Administration agencies.

In year 2010 PAKPAC plans to work for improving the participation of Pakistani NGO’s is USAID assistance and projects. PAKPAC is also starting an active campaign to have Pakistani Americans to participate in US Census.

PAKPAC BOD elects Dr. Salman Malik as President Elect

PAKPAC BOD in their December meeting elected Dr. Salman Malik as President elect. Dr. Malik will assume the role of President from Jan 2012.  On accepting the results of the election, Dr. Salman Malik thanked the Board for their support and confidence in him, and had the following message for our readers;

The Path to PAKPAC…

It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of PAKPAC.  Over the last several years, I have seen our organization’s far-reaching influence.  Whether it is our friends and neighbors, or leaders at the national level, people are beginning to recognize PAKPAC.  While I serve my tenure as President-Elect, I look forward to working with our incoming President, Dr. Mohammad Suleman.

The Board is comprised of an impressive array of professionals who come from all walks of life.  The current leadership has done an excellent job in making PAKPAC a major player.  This would not have happened without the effort made to actively recruit people who come from different backgrounds.  Diversity is the key to our growth and strength.  As a Pakistani-American who grew up in New York, I learned to appreciate the importance of diversity.  I truly believe that it helps to bring a fresh perspective on issues that otherwise would be lost. 

That lesson has certainly been applied to our organization.  One just has to note the biographies of the members of the Board. We all come from varied backgrounds and this is our asset.  The path to PAKPAC for each one of us has been different.  We must use that to help us figure out how to help our community in the United States and ultimately, Pakistan. 

We have a lot of work ahead of us.  It seems everyday we hear news about Pakistan, yet almost none of it is positive.  One of the reasons we joined PAKPAC was to improve the image of Pakistan and enhance its relationship with the United States.  This can only be done with teamwork.  I am very impressed by the level of professionalism and commitment displayed by our Board.  With so much collective knowledge, it is important that we learn from one another.  If we keep this principle in mind, we can only grow in strength and influence. 

Though our journey to PAKPAC has been varied, we all share a common path; it is to involve Pakistani-Americans in the political process.  Let us use our resources to accomplish this goal. 

I pledge to do everything I can to help attain this objective.  However, for us to truly make a difference, everyone must be willing to sacrifice his/her time.  I look forward to working with all of you and listening to your suggestions and guidance.

Community Action

DHS convenes call with Community Organizations about Christmas day terror incident

PAKPAC and other National Community Organizations participated in an invitation only call organized by Incident Community Coordination Team (ICCT) within Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) Group at DHS. CRCL uses the ICCT as a mechanism for engaging communities in a time of urgency, and allows DHS to communicate information with community stakeholders quickly and effectively.

At the Conference Call DHS officials were joined by officials from various other agencies including White House, FBI, Department of Justice, Department of State, TSA, USCIS, ICE, etc. The Administration viewpoint was that there is a need for enhanced security; however they were equally concerned about limiting the curb in civil liberties due to enhanced security measures. Law enforcement agencies were in particular concerned about any backlash including hate crimes, speech, or acts of vandalism against the peaceful Muslim Community in USA, they urged to Community leaders to report any such incidents to local authorities.

Community Leaders apprized the Administration officials of on going self-policing and watch within the Muslim Community to identify and fight any elements of extremism within the community. It was noted that in the two recent cases, the five young Virginia men, and the NW flight incident, the families of the suspects alerted the Law enforcement agencies of the mysterious activities, including that of their loved ones.

Given this level of cooperation, the Community Leaders asked the US Administration officials to make ICCT calls in a public forum so that efforts of Muslims are correctly characterized within media, acknowledge the power and resource of parents, teachers, and community at large in curbing extremism.  Community leaders also asked for engagement and not isolation of Muslim community in fighting radicalization and alienation.

PAKPAC asks its readers to remain vigilant and not to hesitate in reporting to Law Enforcement agencies of any credible extremist activities taking place within their community.

PAKPAC also asks US Adminsitration to provide “swift justice” in the attempted bombing  of a Northwest Airlines flight. Swift justice for the alleged perpetrator(s) is the best way to deter future attacks.

Immigration

USCIS answers American Immigration Lawyers Association concerns about US Investment Visa – EB-5

On December 14, 2009, USCIS participated in a stakeholder session with the American Immigration Lawyers Association EB-5 Committee and Invest in the USA. The linked document provides questions posed by the stakeholders and the answers provided by USCIS during this meeting.

Future Activities

The Obama Administration’s Challenges in Afghanistan and Pakistan

On Thursday January 7, the Brookings Institution will host Richard C. Holbrooke, special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, for a conversation on the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan. from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Falk Auditorium The Brookings Institution 1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington DC. For more information contact events@brookings.edu

USCIS Stakeholder meeting Jan 26th

The next USCIS National Stakeholder meeting will be held on January 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Tomich Center, 111 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington D.C. 20529

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