PAKPAC Press Release

PAKPAC condemns attempted act of sending explosive material as air cargo

PAKPAC condemns the act of sending explosive material as air cargo in an attempt to disrupt interracial air cargo business, especially with the upcoming holiday season. Pakistani Americans stand united with our fellow Americans in defeating the extremist’s attempts to strike against the U.S. There is no place in Islam for terrorizing innocent people or creating disorder.

President Barack Obama in a White House press conference declared that authorities had uncovered a "credible terrorist threat" against the United States following the overseas discovery of U.S.-bound packages containing explosives aboard cargo jets. President Obama said both had been addressed to Jewish organizations in the Chicago area. “We are thankful to our and International law enforcement agencies in Dubai and UK to uncover their plots before it could cause any harm, and applauded Yemen’s government cooperation with USA to disrupt terrorist activities” said Dr. Mohammad Suleman, President of PAKPAC.

Archived Press Releases

Community Alert

Stay vigilant in wake of Pakistani American arrested on charges of Washington DC metro scare

In a sting operation Federal law enforcement authorities arrested a man of Pakistani descent in connection with an alleged plot to carry out terrorist bombings at stations in the Washington Metro system. Farooque Ahmed a telecommunication engineer first drew the attention of law enforcement officials by seeking to obtain unspecified materials and later became the target of an undercover sting. Muslim leaders in Northern Virginia said no one had reported knowing or having interacted with Ahmed at local mosques. According to court records, he never suggested any attacks inside the United States, and the plot to attack Metro was hatched by government operatives posing as terrorists.

The number of FBI sting operations has increased in recent months. Imams say longtime attendees at their mosque have suddenly grown reticent to welcome new strangers and new converts. Some Muslims say they catch themselves watching what they say and to whom, eyeing people in their own community as potential informants looking to lure them into arrest.  The FBI, however, emphasized that it does not investigate communities or mosques but individuals. "We are going to go within constitutional parameters where we need to go and talk to people we need to talk to," said spokeswoman Katherine Schweit. "But we are not looking to infiltrate anything other than individuals looking to harm others. The suggestion that we send agents just roaming through mosques is simply not true," said Schweit. "And First Amendment rights here are absolutely being protected. If a conversation doesn't involve criminal activity, what chilling effect would there be?"

PAKPAC asks of Community leaders to be watchful of any suspicious activities in their area, given the current environment, use good judgment in preserving national security without creating false alarms.

News

U.S.–Pakistan Strategic Dialogue Update

U.S.–Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, which met for the third ministerial-level meeting this year on October 20-22. Ten of the thirteen groups met in Washington as part of the Dialogue. Below is a list of key outcomes from this latest round of meetings

Agriculture Working Group: The Pakistan delegation expressed appreciation for recent sanitary and phyto-sanitary approvals to allow the export of Pakistani mangos to the United States. Both sides renewed their commitment to the Agricultural Investment Strategy and ongoing agricultural development projects, such as the Rural Dairy Project, the Mango Export Project, and the agricultural productivity initiatives.

Communications Working Group: The U.S. offered to provide training opportunities that would permit Pakistanis and Americans to work together directly, through 125 journalism internships and 80 public administration internships, some of which will be reserved for officials from information-related public services. The U.S. agreed to support the development of a major Government of Pakistan Data Center and a launch of citizen-centric electronic government services.

Defense Working Group: The working group meetings over the past seven months were crucial to the development of the $2.029 billion Multi-Year Security Assistance Commitment Secretary Clinton announced at the plenary session of the Strategic Dialogue.

Economic Cluster Working Group: Both sides noted the importance and desire to create an Enterprise Fund. On market access, the two sides discussed extending enhanced market access, specifically seeking Congressional approval for the Reconstruction Opportunity Zone (ROZ) legislation. The U.S. welcomed the approval of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Treaty and praised Pakistani efforts to expand regional trade ties.

Energy Working Group: Pakistan highlighted efforts underway to restore the energy sector’s full operational capacity and repair flood damaged infrastructure. Pakistan also briefed on domestic restructuring plans for the Pakistan Energy and Power Company (PEPCO) currently underway with anticipated completion in June 2011.

Health Working Group: begin coordinating with other bilateral donors to plan for large scale immunization campaign (especially childhood diseases); and (4) work towards a diagnostic evaluation regarding the health care services provided by the Pakistani Private Sector, especially in regard to incentive schemes. The three hospital projects that make up the first phase of the Signature Health Program experienced delays due to the flooding but remain on track to be completed as follows: Jinnah Post Gradate Medial Complex (June 2011); Jacobabad Hospital (June 2011); and Lady Wellington Hospital (June 2012).

Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Working Group: U.S. and Pakistani participants agreed to the establishment of a Border Management Working Group to enhance cooperation.

Water Working Group: Both sides agreed to integrate the joint work of the Working Group and the Government of Pakistan on a national water policy and to collaborate closely with the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) initiated Water Task Force led by the Asian Development Bank.

Netsol Technologies and others ring Closing bell at NASDAQ Stock Market in Support of Pakistan Flood Relief   

Najeeb Ghauri Chairman and CEO of NetSol Technologies and PAL-C Director and others presided over the NASDAQ Closing Bell ceremony on October 29, 2010 to raise awareness in USA of the recent flooding in Pakistan. See video

U.S. Response To Pakistan's Flooding Disaster

The United States has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that began July 29.  The United States Government is providing approximately $387 million to assist with relief and recovery efforts, including approximately $337 million to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan and an additional $50 million that has been allocated for initial recovery efforts to assist with rebuilding communities impacted by the floods. 

The U.S. also has provided civilian and military in-kind assistance in the form of halal meals, infrastructure support, and air support to and within Pakistan to transport goods and rescue people at an approximate value of $75 million.*  There are currently 26 U.S. military helicopters in Pakistan supporting relief efforts with more offshore on the USS Peleliu.  To date, U.S. aircraft have evacuated more than 23,000 people and delivered more than 16 million pounds of relief supplies.  Hundreds of U.S. military and civilian personnel are working around the clock in Islamabad, in flood affected areas, and at Pakistani military bases in support of flood relief operations. 

American business and private citizens are also making generous contributions to assist the people of Pakistan.   To date, the private sector has donated approximately $10.5 million in contributions to flood relief efforts.  Private sector entities that have contributed include: 3M, Abbott, Agility Logistics, Al-Bario Engineering, Alcatel-Lucent Foundation, Amgen, AT&T, Bank of America, BASF, Bayer, Becton Dickinson, BHP Billiton Petroleum, BMO Financial Group, BMW Group, Boeing, BP, Cargill, Caterpillar, Chevron, Cisco, Citi, Coca-Cola, Cummins, Inc, DHL, The Dow Chemical Co., DTAC Thailand, DuPont, DynCorp International, EMC, Environment Consultancies & Options, Equate Petrochemical, Expedia, Inc., ExxonMobil, Feros Sons Laboratories, GE, General Mills, GlaxoSmithKline, Google, James Hardie, Hadayat Sons, Harris Financial Corporation, Honda Motor Co., ICI  Pakistan, Infineon Technologies, ITT Corporation, JCB, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, Kabani & Company, KAPCO, Kraft Foods, Levi Strauss, LG Electronics, MDS Foods, Medtronic, Microsoft, MoneyGram International, Monsanto, Motorola, NetSol Technologies, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Orascom Telecom, Pakistan Telecommunication Company LTD., PepsiCo, Pfizer, Primatics Financial, Procter & Gamble, Rogers Communications, Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Dutch Shell, Henry Schein, Inc., Sheraton, Siemens, Silver Star Enterprises, Staples, Inc., Tethyan Copper Company, Toshiba Group, Toyota, Tpad, UPS, Verizon, Visa, Western Union, and Wackenhut Pakistan.

Zindagi Trust, a Pakistani-American Organization, held fundraisers for Pakistan flood relief in Los Angeles (Sept 26), Cincinnati (Oct 1), Houston (Oct 2), Princeton (Oct 9), and Atlanta (Oct 10) featuring Pakistani celebrities Shehzad Roy and Bushra Ansari.  Pledges exceeded $2 million dollars.

Viewpoint

Karachi's downward spiral By Nadia Naviwala

The headlines coming out of Karachi recently look like those I saw when I lived there in the early 1990s, underscoring dozens of people killed in city violence daily. But there is a complicating factor today that propels these headlines into the global spotlight: "Talibanization."

In the 1990s, the Taliban were easily understood as a brutal, fundamentalist force unique to Afghanistan. But today, the "Taliban" has spread, splintered, and adopted local guises, so that it is almost impossible to define. In Pakistan's sprawling, urban metropolis of Karachi -- with twice the population of New York City but with one-third living in slum-like conditions -- the Taliban is hardly the enemy that the international community originally conceived.

Karachi has become a favorite spot for war-weary militants from Pakistan's northern areas to rest, recoup, seek medical treatment, and hide out. They integrate easily into the city's sprawling Pashtun and Afghan slums that sit at the major entry and exit points of the city. According to a Taliban commander from South Waziristan, "We are more alert and cautious following the drone attacks; we understand that it is not a wise approach to concentrate in a large number in the war-torn areas." He says groups of 20 to 25 militants will fight for a few months and then "take leave" for a month in cities including Karachi. Mullah Omar has reportedly visited Karachi several times in recent months.  Read More

How to Improve the United States’ Image in the Muslim World – Azeem Ibrahimi

The rise of terrorism and cybersecurity threats – threats not from foreign governments, but from foreign population’s foreign-based groups or individuals means that there is now a security incentive to engage with those populations in order to reduce their motivation(s) to attack the United States.

Improving the United States’ image with Muslim publics serves to narrow the pool of radicalized young people from whom terrorist groups need to recruit if they are to survive. “Public Diplomacy,” defined as engaging with Muslim publics as distinct from Muslim leaders, is an essential way to do this. Before engaging international Muslim publics, however, it is advisable to listen and analyze their opinions and values so that any engagement will be successful. This should be done based on evidence, not conjecture. The evidence, in fact, shows that most Muslims around the world do share US values (even when they cannot enjoy such benefits themselves), particularly democracy. They are, however, alienated by its actions, with many seeing the United States as a military threat. American policymakers must understand this to strike the right tone when trying to address them. Ultimately, American foreign policy should aim toward a world in which improved understanding between the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds leads to good relations, improved trade, cultural relations, and travel. The Muslim world has a rich culture that can be explored, and both it and the US could be enriched by greater dialogue and understanding. But the longest journey begins with the first step, and the first step in this case is to prevent the Muslim world from becoming a threat to US security. Read More

Al Qaeda and Pakistan: Current Role and Future Considerations-Haider Ali Hussein Mallick

For more than six decades the United States and Pakistan have had a complex relationship, one in which the goal of meeting expectations and sustaining the partnership has always fallen short of the goal of meeting tactical security goals. With the advent of President Barack H. Obama’s administration and his new resource-driven Afghanistan and Pakistan strategies, there was hope of finally building this relationship anew. At this monumental time when Washington’s efforts in Afghanistan are under duress and question, nuclear-armed Pakistan’s stability is unquestionably essential for achieving Washington’s mission to disrupt, dismantle, and destroy Al Qaeda. This is a clarion call for action to Washington, Islamabad, and their allies. Read More

The Pak pack takes over the literary world? - Bina Shah

Recently London’s Asia House hosted a literary event called “Pakistan: A Corona Burst of Talent” – a panel discussion with Pakistani writers followed by a celebration of the Fall issue of Granta, which focuses exclusively on writing, including fiction, reportage, memoir, travelogue and poetry, from and about Pakistan. “Pakistan is one of the most dynamic places in the world. It is also at the forefront of a cultural renaissance” ran the description of the event. Many others agree, and in India, publishing houses are courting Pakistani authors as never before, eager to pick up the new voices from next door and then pass them on to international audiences. Read More

Announcement

State Department Job Openings

Foreign Service Office Management Specialists:

Click here (http://careers.state.gov/specialist/opportunities/officemgt.html) for more information, and to start the online application process.  The deadline to submit completed applications is November 2, 2010. Applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of 21 and 59, able to qualify for a top secret security clearance, and available to serve worldwide.

2011 Student Internships

State Department is looking for Students to Intern in summer 2011. The deadline for this opportunity has been extended to November 3, 2010. Please click here (http://careers.state.gov/students/programs.html#SIP) for more information and to start the online application process.  You must be a U.S. citizen and a student (a full- or part-time continuing college or university junior, or graduate student - including graduating seniors intending to go on to graduate school) to be eligible. Please read the program description and vacancy announcement for more information.

25 Intern Scholarships in Washington DC in Summer 2011

The Center for Global Understanding (CFGU) is a non-profit and non- advocacy organization designed to bring people together. One of our main goals is to help cultivate future Muslim American leaders through our Washington D. C. Internship program. 

Program Overview:

1. Placement: Tailored toward students' interest. We work with students of all majors. Past placements include the Department of the Treasury, The White House, Voice of America, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice, National Institutes of Health, American Civil Liberties Union, National Endowment for the Arts, Congressional offices, law firms, corporations, think tanks, lobbying firms, and many more!

2. Academic Credits: Students will take a seminar-style class for about 3 hours one evening per week. Students may get academic credit from their college or university.

3. Housing: We have housing arrangements in an apartment setting. Student MUST COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATION BY NOVEMBER 15, 2010 to be eligible for the CFGU scholarships.

4. Eligibility: Must be an American citizen and at least a College sophomore or higher at an accredited college with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. We encourage Muslim American students to visit our website for details regarding requirements, eligibility, cost, deadline etc.

How to Apply: http://centerforglobalunderstanding.org/how_to_apply.php

Future Activities

Please join the World Affairs Council - Washington, D.C.  for an informative and lively discussion with Ambassador Akbar Ahmed and Dr. Bernard Lewis:  

Wednesday, November 3 6:30 PM - 8 PM Charles Sumner School 1201 17th Street, NW  Washington DC, 20036

No Peace Without Women

Zainab Salbi, Founder and CEO, Women for Women International Moderated by:  Barbara Miller, Director, Global Gender Initiative; Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs, GW

Wednesday, November 3, 2010  5:30 PM - 7:00 PM The Elliott School of International Affairs, City View Room, 7th Floor  1957 E Street, NW, Washington DC

Sacred Spaces: Religious and Political Faultlines in Pakistan

Samina Quraeshi, an educator, designer, artist, urban advocate and the award-winning author of Sacred Spaces: A Journey with the Sufis of the Indus, will examine the role of sacred spaces in mystical Sufi traditions and how they act as profound expressions of both faith and culture.

Nov 4, 2010 | 6:00pm to 8:00pm  Asia Society Washington, The Cinnabar Room, Whittemore House, 2nd Flr. 1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20036 Washington, DC

Events & Activities

Pakistani Americans meet with House Foreign Relations Policy Expert

Various members of the Pakistani American Community met at Capitol Hill with Sajit Ghandi - Policy Expert at House Foreign Relations Committee.  Community members took the opportunity to present the Pakistani American community viewpoint on US-Pakistan relations. In particular they emphasized the need of more trade vs aid; Status of ROZ bill, KLB status and appropriations for 2011 and onwards, Assign KLB funds for infrastructure Signature projects, Transparency mechanism for US economic assistance

The individuals who attended the meeting represented following five organizations; Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC), Pakistani Americans of Connecticut PACT), Pakistan American Leadership Council (PAL-C), Council of Pakistani Americans (COPAA), and Association of Pakistani Americans Connecticut Chapter. 

Muslims participate in Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear

Amongst the hundreds of thousands of Americans, there were many American Muslims who took part in a rally in Washington DC to bring awareness to changing demographics within USA, and changing global geo-political conditions. The rally was organized by comedians John Stewart and Steven Colbert.  Three days before mid term elections, a non partisan and non political rally had no direct political endorsement, instead, politics took a backseat to music, comedy and a hearty amount of media criticism. It sent a strong message to many young Americans to get out and vote. The bulk of Stewart’s ire fell on the media, or as he called it, the “Political Pundit Perpetual Panic Conflictinator,” which “did not cause our problems, but its existence makes solving them that much harder. If we amplify everything, we hear nothing,” he said.

Many Muslim organizations and individuals took part in the rally; many had organized events of their own during the rally.  Muslim celebrities like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Singer Yusuf Islam performed on the stage bringing a message of harmony, equality, and peace.

Pakistani Organizations meet with NCTC to discuss Radicalization and De-radicalization Strategies

Various Pakistani Organization leaders met with Director of National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)’s and senior staff members of Directorate of Strategic Operational Planning (DSOP) to present their findings to a group of analysts, policy-makers, and senior officials in the U.S. Government (USG).  Various Connecticut based Pakistani American organizations hosted a conference in Hartford, CT on June 19, 2010, which discussed the root causes and dynamics of radicalization; opportunities and challenges for Muslims in America; and possible solutions to counter violent extremism in Muslim American communities. 

Some of the observations made to NCTC by the conference organizers are:

·                     Widespread distrust of law enforcement agencies and fear of reprisals in the wake of an attack hinder community cooperation with the USG.

·                     Children within Diaspora communities are often harassed for their ethnicity or faith, and often feel under siege.

·                         While the mainstream media is quick to cover negative stories within communities, positive efforts receive far less attention.  Despite invitations by conference organizers, no major networks covered the conference.

·                         Hosting of such conferences in future in various major US cities, for the larger American Muslim community

·                         Parents should talk to their kids openly about various online threats, including violent extremist ideologues and material, as well as the opportunities and challenges of being a Muslim American.

·                         To date, the USG has implemented an “end-of-the-problem” approach to countering violent extremism; that is, U.S. strategy has focused on law enforcement intervention and community engagement post-incident.  Efforts should be made to inoculate communities against violent extremism before recruitment and violence occur.  Such a strategy should normally consist of three distinct but related phases similar to preventative medicine:

1.                   Primary Prevention:  Inoculation against radicalization via community-led engagement, integration, and outreach programs.

2.                   Secondary Prevention:  Community-led rehabilitation or intervention when signs of radicalization begin to appear.

3.                   Tertiary Prevention (Emergency Care):  Law Enforcement intervention pre- or post-event.

Pakistani American Community in Washington DC farewell dinner for US Ambassador to Pakistan

US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter and his wife Marilyn Wyatt were honored at two events hosted in Washington DC, the two events were held by local residents Rafat Mahmood and Muslim Lakhani. A large number of Pakistani American Community of Washington DC was present at both eth events. The Community apprised the Ambassador on the cultural and ethnic layout of Pakistan, and encouraged him to increase people – people contacts between the two countries. Ambassador Munter was asked to increase trade between the two countries. Ambassador’s wife Marillyn Watt who has an interest in social entrepreneurship and NGO’s was asked to help Pakistani NGO’s build their organizational strength.

Foreign Minister Qureshi meets with Pakistani American Community

Foreign Minister Qureshi met with Pakistani American Community of Washington DC at the home of Rafat & Shaista Mahmood. Minister Qureshi apprised the audience of developments of  recent US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue; Annual UN General Assembly session, flood situation in Pakistan, and global response and assistance for flood victims. Addressing the Pakistani American Community asked them to get more involved with local issues and politics, volunteer for activities within their communities.

Local Muslim and Jewish Communities partner to Donate over 13,000 Meals to Flood Victims in Pakistan

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) joined with the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America DC Chapter (APPNA), the Maryland Muslim Council, and Washington Hebrew Congregation to donate 13,340 meals to Pakistanis affected by the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history.  AJC coordinated the effort to connect Washington Hebrew Congregation, which had collected thousands of Kosher/Halal meals through the Project Elijah Foundation, to the local Pakistani community. Pakistan International Airlines will donate the shipment of the meals to Pakistan, and APPNA members and partners on the ground will oversee the distribution of the meals.

Noting that the media has largely stopped reporting on the plight of the Pakistanis affected by flooding, AJC Washington Director Melanie Maron Pell said, “We have not yet begun to grasp the long-term implications of this natural disaster. It is important that we do not forget the suffering of the Pakistani people affected by the monsoons once the rain has stopped.”  Ms. Pell welcomed the opportunity to bring the Jewish and Muslim communities together to provide assistance to victims of the flooding.

Immigration

Immigration application fees to increase in November

 New Application and Petition Fees Go into Effect on Nov. 23, 2010 – USCIS reminds customers that its new fee schedule goes into effect November 23, 2010. Applications or petitions postmarked or otherwise filed on or after this date must include the new fee, or they will be rejected. USCIS published the new fee schedule in the Federal Register on September 24, 2010, following a comprehensive review of public comments received after publication of the proposed rule this summer. The new fee schedule increases application and petition fees by an average of about 10 percent but does not increase the naturalization application fee. 

Religious Freedom

Muslim Advocates Files Amicus Brief in Lawsuit by American Muslim About No-Fly List 

Muslim Advocates filed an amicus brief this week in the lawsuit Ibrahim v. Department of Homeland Security, supporting Rahinah Ibrahim's challenge to her placement on the U.S. government's no-fly list.  While she was a graduate student at Stanford University, Dr. Ibrahim was prohibited from boarding a flight to Malaysia, arrested and subsequently jailed because her name was mistakenly on the U.S. government's watch-list.  She was ultimately allowed to board her flight but has been unable to return to the United States or have her name removed from the watch-list.

Muslim Advocates regularly hears from people who - for reasons unknown to them - either are unable to fly or are subjected to extensive, additional screening each time they fly.  The amicus brief argues that innocent travelers are subjected to the burdens of the watch-list, with no notice, no opportunity to be heard, and no ability to obtain relief.  The brief also argues that the watch-list disproportionately targets American Muslim travelers and harms public safety. Muslim Advocates thanks the law firm Rosen, Bien, & Galven LLP for its generous pro bono support in preparing the amicus brief.

Endorsement

PAKPAC Endorses ZJ Hafeez  for State House in Florida's 67^th District 

This is an open seat election and Z. J. has a considerable financial advantage on his Republican opponent.  Z. J. is on track to become the first Pakistani-American elected to Florida's State Legislature.  He has run a strong campaign and has positioned himself for victory.  Read the update memo here.

This is an important region and what happens in the district has a profound effect on Florida and the rest of our great country.  As we have recently learned, the decisions made by our local elected officials certainly have a grand impact on our daily lives and the ability of our state and federally elected officials to get things done. That's why I am focused in on Z. J.' s candidacy. 

Additionally, we have a unique opportunity to back Hafeez's first political run and make history.  Our ability to support this rising star is a key step in moving our community forward.  The doors we open together supporting Z. J. will pave an important path for others who wish to run for office or take a leadership role.

Please consider making a secure financial contribution of $500, $250 or whatever you can offer online by clicking here or you can send a check payable to "Z. J. Hafeez Campaign" to 6103 Marbella Boulevard, Apollo Beach, Florida 33572.

Please learn more about Z. J. and his platform at www.voteZJ.com.

Read Z. J.'s Bio here.

Elections 2010

Turnout critical in Tuesday elections

In today’s political climate, it is easy to feel like our politicians are controlled by special interest groups. While a few radical right-wing groups dominate the media and shape the debates, other minorities – Muslims, blacks, Latinos – seem to have no power at all. But in order to gain our voices, we need to regain our political wills. If we want the politicians to hear us, we need to get active, get engaged, get organized and GET OUT THE VOTE the mid term election is approaching on Tuesday, November 2. It is only three days away. If you have not mailed out your absentee ballot please do it today, or do not forget to visit the polling place and cast your vote on Tuesday. It is important that we take advantage of our voting right.

Republicans poised to take over House

The battle for control of Congress rolled into a frenetic final weekend as Democrats fought to preserve the Senate as their power center on Capitol Hill, trying to hold off a Republican surge that could reshape the political order in Washington. With Republicans in a strong position to capture the House, President Obama on Saturday opened a four-state weekend swing here to rally support for Senate candidates in Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania, hoping to build a critical firewall to protect the party’s Senate majority from Republican gains across the country.

According to average of latest polls, Republicans are looking to gain as many as sixty House seats, giving them control of the House. In Senate Republicans are favored to win eight seats, bringing their total to forty nine. They need to win two additional seats to take control of senate. The outcome of five contests considered tossups will help determine if Democrats retain control of the Senate, according to the latest analysis of races by The New York Times, with Republicans trying to capture Democratic-held seats in Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington. Should they sweep those, they would still need to triumph in a state like California or West Virginia, where Democratic chances seemed to be improving.  “Our hand will be strengthened, even if we’re not in the majority in January,” said Senator John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “It’s remarkable that we’ve hung together as much as we have.”

US Congress headed for Gridlock

Most Pundits agree that Tuesday elections results would result in a gridlock, making it difficult for the Congress and Administration to accomplish much for the next two years. No matter which party comes out on top in next week's midterm elections, getting legislation through the next Congress will be an uphill battle at best and virtually impossible at worst. Regardless of who wins the majority next week, more pratfalls than policies may emerge out of the 112th Congress, observers warn.  "Both parties don't like to work with each other. We keep seeing that over and over," said Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University professor of history and congressional expert.

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

Council on Foreign Relations

Heritage Foundation

Middle East Institute

SAIS

Woodrow Wilson Center