FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan 25th, 2008
Maryland; The Pakistani American Public Affairs committee today
announced that their new President effective January 25th, 2007, is to
be Dr. Saud Anwar. Dr. Anwar, who is the 11th President of
PAKPAC, has been a part of Committee for the past 4 years and has
served as the Secretary and President elect for the organization. In
December of 2007 he had cited differences with some of the board
members of PAKPAC regarding several policy related issues. Now after
extensive discussions with the board members and agreements on changes
that are required in the organization, Dr. Anwar has stepped up to
take on his new role. PAKPAC board members thanked Dr. Raza Bokhari
for his services in the past two years.
In his opening remarks at
the PAKPAC meeting, Dr. Anwar thanked the board members for their
confidence and willingness to agree with him in strategizing to create
a new vision and direction for the organization. He mentioned that
times are rapidly changing and the Pakistani American community in
United States is now facing considerable new challenges. There has
also been a surge of political unrest in Pakistan and the challenges
in the lives of an average Pakistani. It is clear that the current
structure, which has served well until now for the organization, will
need to be modified considerably to help to deal with the new state of
affairs.
Dr. Anwar also mentioned
the importance of developing mechanisms to further strengthen the
grass root outreach of the organization. Pakistan and United States
relationship has been going through periodic uncertainties which
require a long term strategy on part of both the countries. The United
States will need to help support processes in Pakistan, rather
than individuals. This support needs to be focused on a long term
relations and mutual benefit rather than short term policies. Pakistan
has multiple challenges at this time which includes lack of
appropriate education, health care and financial infrastructure. The
lack of a stronger political system further exacerbates the situation,
inciting a gradual increase in extremism in some pockets of Pakistan.
Dealing with this volatile environment would require work at multiple
levels in the region, which would prohibit the fostering of extremism
in any way. This process would require the Pakistani American
community to become stake holders in the solution, thereby nurturing a
peaceful and more prosperous Pakistan who will become even a stauncher
ally of United States.
Dr. Saud Anwar further
announced the formation of many subcommittees which would be required
to help strengthen the organizations structure as well as create a
long term mechanisms to give PAKPAC an effective voice for Americans
of Pakistani Heritage. PAKPAC will soon be providing an update
regarding its structural modifications which will allow for
enhancement of its community outreach and more accurately represent
the views of the Pakistani Americans in the United States.
Dr. Anwar further requests
the larger Pakistani American community to step forward to participate
and facilitate this change.
The Pakistani American Public Affairs
Committee (PAKPAC) is a nationwide, membership based, non-profit
lobbying organization registered with the United States Federal
Government. PAKPAC’s mission includes advancement and strengthening of
U.S.-Pakistan relations. It is organized to be a unified voice on
issues and concerns common to the Pakistani American community.
PAKPAC’s focus includes an active environment to foster greater
political and civic engagement amongst the Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC
is also focused on collaborating with other regional and national
Pakistani American organizations to ensue increased efficacy and
reduced duplication of the stated goals. PAKPAC along with our
affiliates is working to serve as a watch dog for inaccuracies and
bias in media coverage about Pakistan and Pakistani Americans. We are
also involved in educating media groups, journalists, politicians,
academicians and members of think tanks about views of concern and
importance to the Pakistani American community
|
