What is different about PAKPAC? Why should I join PAKPAC?

Although there are already numerous Pakistani organizations PAKPAC is the only Pakistani-American political action committee that has successfully passed through the Federal Election Commission's registration. We do and are willing to work with all groups and other organizations to support them and collaborate with them with the goal of reducing duplication and increasing efficacy. We feel that our combined strength and power lies in our abilities to work together and become stronger. We ask other organizations to become our affiliate partners. Organizations interested in becoming affiliates may contact PAKPAC.

PAKPAC’s objectives.

PAKPAC's mission is to ensure that we impact US government policy on issues of concern to the Pakistani American community in a bipartisan manner. We are achieving this by establishing an organized, strong grassroots network with a powerful voice in public affairs for the large and fast growing Pakistani Americans.
The Pakistani American Community serves as the largest section of the American Muslim Community and serves as the largest and most organized group of American Muslims from a single country. We are building bridges between the Pakistani American community and the Federal, state and local governments by mobilizing Pakistani Americans for active participation in the political system. We are a grassroots organization and seek support from a broad spectrum of the Pakistani American community. We believe that by building an organized strong network, we are in much better position to make our opinions count. Please join us to let your voice be heard.

What kind of issues does PAKPAC advocate?

We advocate issues that are important to the Pakistani American community, and our agenda is driven by the opinion and the needs of the community. We conduct traditional surveys to better understand which issues to advocate. Some current issues include:
• Strengthening of United States and Pakistan Relationship
• Civil Liberties and Equal Opportunities for Pakistani Americans
• Improving and protecting regional balance of defense power in Asia
• Peaceful Resolution of Kashmir Crises according to the will of the people of Kashmir
• Support the building of education and health infrastructure help to Pakistan by increasing budgets and support through USAID and other programs
• Immigration reform
• Small business and entrepreneurship
• Advocacy of appointment of Pakistani Americans in the US government

What is our strategy?

We coordinate campaign contributions through one brand for Pakistani Americans, and depend heavily upon volunteers to grow our organization nationwide.

We can assist Pakistani Americans who make individual contributions to a candidate by adding our own funds. In return, we ask that the check be signed by PAKPAC. The local donor still gets to present the check to the candidate and maintain their local relationship, but by pooling our resources under a single name, we increase the negotiating clout of our community.

We use our memberships contributions to ensure that our and the communities issues of concern remain a priority with the candidates and representatives even after the elections. This provides an incentive to local organizations and donors to work with us. It helps our community by ensuring that political leaders recognize us as a community rather than a collection of individuals.

In the recent elections the Pakistani American Community has come out as one of the primary leaders of the American Muslim community in our ability to mobilize vote and help with fund raising activity and have contributed millions of dollars to various candidates. Yet, there are few or no results to show any gains from those contributions, since most of these individuals contributions were made to a national party committee and went unrecognized by the candidates. Most donors have to be content with a photo opportunity with a candidate. This is because they have contributed as individuals in the past, and not as a community. There is no follow-up with the candidate after the elections. PAKPAC stays engaged with elected officials after the election to ensure that our community's needs are addressed.

Is PAKPAC affiliated with any of the major political parties?

No, we are bipartisan. We have and are willing to work across party lines with both Democrats and Republicans. We support candidates based on their support to the issues of our concern. This bipartisan approach is also reflected in our candidate endorsements. PAKPAC support the best candidates regardless of their party affiliation. We are not affiliated with any political party in Pakistan either.

I have an established relationship with my Congressman. Why should I join PAKPAC?

If you have a relationship with a congress representative, we do need you to join and become a part of PAKPAC. We want you to preserve and improve your existing relationship. We can help you in the following ways:

i. We, when applicable will contribute in your fund-raiser by making our own contribution. You still present the check to the Congressman, and maintain and increase your existing relationship. The check will go out from PAKPAC, and help build brand recognition for the Pakistani American community

ii. By joining our organization and by registering and voting with us, you can help us in establishing our agenda.
What are PAKPACs criteria for candidate endorsement?

Our criterion is relatively simple: the candidate must support the Pakistani American community and issues dear to us. We support candidates who have and are willing to provide support to the community, and those who have taken strong positions on the issues of our concern.

Contribution Allocation Process

The PAKPAC Board of Directors with guidance from the members makes all decisions on how to spend PAKPAC funds.
Contributions are allocated to screened candidates that support our issues.
We will support most candidates that have been endorsed by the Pakistani American community.
We use our funds, and track candidates whom we would like to support and those in closely contested races.
We follow close races where contributions are likely to make a larger difference than in situations where a candidate's prospects are certain, and our contribution would make little difference.
Our goal is to operate on a low overheard. All our financial transactions (receipts and disbursements) are in accordance with Federal laws.

What are PAKPACs criteria’s for candidate endorsement?

We help the candidate in several ways- education and outreach to the Pakistani-American community on the behalf of the candidate. Additionally, we provide fun-raising support for campaigns and building grassroots support for the candidate. Ffund-raising support for campaigns, and by building grassroots support for the candidate.

We believe that our first task is to educate Congressional, state and local leaders on the issues that affect us. We do this by actively engaging the candidates throughout the year. We raise funds for the candidates, and by making contributions to their campaigns as a single group of Pakistani Americans. This collected effort leads to a far greater influence..

PAKPAC and volunteerism

We believe that volunteerism is our key to success. The PAKPAC leadership team is comprised of volunteers who believe passionately in grassroots organization. We recognize that without a critical state and nation wide mass of volunteers, we will not succeed. Our beliefs have been validated by our growing and committed list of volunteers who are willing to volunteer their time and energy. Many of our volunteers work from their home and do not need to travel. Click here to volunteer.

Communicating with PAKPAC?

Click here to join our mailing list. We will keep you posted of the latest developments through e-mail newsletter. Also, bookmark our website and visit it as often as possible. Another group list for discussion is available only for the paid members.

Joining the PAKPAC team? Membership fees? Contribution limits?

You can join PAKPAC now - by either volunteering your time and services, or making a contribution. PAKPAC will greatly appreciate if you can volunteer your time as well as contribute. Click here to join PAKPAC and make a difference and help securing our and your future. Membership forms and contribution links are on the website Membership for an adult is $100/year. The maximum annual contribution limit is $5,000/year per individual or $10,000/year for a married couple to PAKPAC.
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