Call for Community Action

 

Request a meeting with Secretary Clinton

 

PAKPAC shares your concern and disappointment about Taliban relentless onslaught against Pakistan Army and Administration in areas surrounding Swat, threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty and existence. Pakistan is on a precipice, peace deals are broken before they can be implemented, insurgency is on rise, and economy needs substantial boost.  Pakistani Diaspora cannot remain on the side lines any more. PAKPAC is working on a series of efforts to curb Pakistan’s Talibanization directed towards Pakistani and US Administration, which we will be communicating with you in the next few days.

 

Pakistan is the central foreign policy focus of Obama administration, USA considers Pakistan as a major ally in its war against extremism. However at two house hearings this week Secretary Clinton used strong language for Pakistanis at home and abroad, suggesting that we are not doing enough in either recognizing or stopping the real threat to Pakistan.  PAKPAC feels that Secretary Clinton’s remarks do not fully acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Pakistani Americans to check further deterioration of Pakistan’s stability. We are asking our community members to reach out to their Congressperson asking them to facilitate a meeting of Pakistan American Community with Secretary Clinton. Below is a specimen letter that can be used for this purpose.

PAKPAC has also started a media campaign to educate US print media of Pakistani American efforts with the submission of the following letter from PAKPAC President Dr. Saud Anwar.


 

Letter to be sent to your Congressperson 

April 24th 09

 

 

Honorable Congressperson   :

 

 

I would like to draw your attention to a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed the need for the Pakistani Diaspora to speak out against the Talibanization and extremism in Pakistan.

 

You are well aware that Pakistani American constituents in your district are actively involved with your office on how best to develop long lasting multilateral US-Pakistan relationship. You have been kind enough to meet with us on many occasions, last one being on Feb 26th to discuss the issue of rising extremism in Pakistan.

 

Regrettably, Secretary Clinton’s remarks do not recognize ongoing efforts of Pakistani American Community in bridging the gap between US and Pakistan. I feel both State Department and Pakistani American Community will be better served by a joint meeting to discuss and strategize the issues on hand.  As your constituent I request you to kindly arrange a meeting of Pakistani American Community with Secretary Clinton at her convenience.

 

I would like to suggest if your office could kindly coordinate logistics of meeting with Secretary Clinton with Dr. Saud Anwar, President of Pakistan American Public Affairs Committee, he can be reached at  President@pakpac.net or 202 558 6404.

 

 

Yours Sincerely

 

 

 

Name & Address

PAKPAC President Dr. Saud Anwar letter to US & Pakistani media

April 24th, 2009 

 

Dear Editor:

 

At a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed the need for the Pakistani Diaspora to speak out against the Talibanization and extremism in Pakistan. To set the record straight, the Pakistani American community has consistently raised its voice against the spread of extremism in Pakistan. We have demonstrated our concern over a deal with the Taliban in the Swat area. Sadly, the mainstream US media hardly pays attention to our protests and demonstrations.

 

On behalf of Pakistani-Americans, we would like to reiterate that we too are deeply concerned about the recent developments in northern Pakistan. A government’s inability to enforce its writ within its borders is troubling under any circumstances. We are especially troubled by this particular concession of control because it appears to legitimize extremist violence and has not achieved the government’s stated objective of dividing the extremist opposition as accomplished in Iraq by US policymakers.

 

The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) has openly and unequivocally communicated its concerns to the government of Pakistan, focusing in particular on the rise of insurgency and loss of security in Pakistan. We have counseled political leaders from across the spectrum to set aside their differences and work together to check the Taliban’s rise in the country.

 

The Pakistani-American community has taken its concerns to the airwaves, internet, and print media in the US and in Pakistan. We have supported events in major cities and towns across the US to highlight the consequences of the recent developments in Pakistan. The community has urged the leadership of local mosques to denounce violent acts committed by the extremist minority in the name of Islam.

 

The Pakistani-American community has also voiced its concerns on Capitol Hill, and shared its counsel with our policy-makers as they consider solutions to the current situation in Pakistan. We have highlighted the complex causes and progressions that have created the present situation, and urged a similarly nuanced strategy to resolve it. Let it not be thought, therefore, that the Pakistani Diaspora is sitting idly by as its country of origin sinks deeper into crisis. We agree with Secretary Clinton that instability in Pakistan is rapidly becoming a global problem and requires collective action to stem it. We have been a part of the solution, voicing our concerns, sharing our best advice, and offering our ready assistance to US policymakers. We remain available to do our share to ensure the development of a strong and constructive US-Pakistan relationship.

 

Sincerely,

 

M Saud Anwar MD

President

Pakistan American Public Affairs Committee

President@pakpac.net