Pakistani-Americans to share insights on U.S. policy with legislators on February 26

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 23, 2009 – On Thursday, February 26, 2009, the Pakistani-American community will come together on Capitol Hill to share its perspective on the current situation in South Asia with U.S. legislators.

As the U.S. increases its resource commitment in Afghanistan, South Asia remains a critical foreign policy issue for U.S. legislators and the Obama administration. Pakistan is a key U.S. ally in the region, having endured enormous economic, civilian, and military losses in the “war on terror” that have gone largely unacknowledged. Today, Pakistan faces a complex set of problems that must be addressed through nuanced policymaking.

The Pakistani-American community will gather on February 26, 2009 to offer its uniquely well-informed understanding of the current situation in Pakistan and the consequent imperatives of U.S. policy toward the country. Community members will share insights with their legislators to help make U.S. policies in South Asia more effective in securing American strategic interests and regional stability.

The discussion will highlight the importance of ensuring Pakistan’s economic stability through the unconditional passage of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act and other forms of economic cooperation. We believe for this economic cooperation to have a meaningful impact, it should be increased to $3.6 billion per year. The need for a regional problem-solving approach will be highlighted, recognizing the interlinked challenges to stability across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India and the centrality of the Kashmir dispute. Anti-American sentiment in the region will also be discussed, with community members diagnosing its causes and providing suggestions to help the U.S. win “hearts and minds”.

Dr. Saud Anwar, President of the Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee, a key sponsor of the event, said, “It is critical that we avoid further mistakes in this volatile and important region. We need to make sure U.S. policies achieve our short-term objectives but focus at the same time on our long-term goals. These begin with stability in the region. As Pakistani-Americans, we feel we have a wealth of unique knowledge that might be useful for our lawmakers as they formulate these policies.”

Along with the Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee, other sponsoring organizations include: Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C); Pakistani American Congress (PAC); Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP); Association of Pakistani Scientists and Engineers of North America (APSENA); Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA ); Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce Council (PACCC); Friends of Pakistan (FOP); The Pakistani American Council of Texas (PACT); Pakistani American Association of Connecticut (PAACT); and National Association of Pakistani Americans (NAPA).