A sizeable number of PAKPAC members and supporters attended the event filled with outreach and lobbying to draw US elected officials’ attention to the massive human rights violations in Pakistan, a rare occurrence in the US Capitol. Prominent among the attendees included former special assistants to the ousted prime minister Imran Khan Dr. Shahbaz Gill and Atif Khan, senior journalist Dr. Moeed Pirzada who lives in self-exile in the US escaping state repression, Asad Malik, Dr. Rao Kamran Ali and many others. Several members of the US Congress also showed up at the event.
“Right now there is a group of us both Democrats and Republicans sending are working on a letter that will go to Secretary of State Atony Blinkin to make the point that the United States should be pushing Pakistan to respect the same democratic values that we believe in here… the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of expression, inclusion, all those things…,” said Congresswoman Elissa Blair Slotkin (D) from Detroit, Michigan while addressing the participants. “It is not hard for the United Stated to be pushing for those things,” she added.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin address at Iftar dinner hosted by PakPAC. Congresswoman talked about getting bipartisan support to write to Secretary Blinken on Human Rights violations and push for Democratic values in Pakistan.@MoeedNj @Abbasshabbir72 @ImranRiazKhan… pic.twitter.com/5wMYoGAczU
— Atif Khan (@akhan4pakistan) April 17, 2023
Dr. Shahbaz Gill, who himself endured the worst state repression not very long ago, spoke of the human rights situation and applauded PAKPAC’s endeavors to work for the promotion of democracy in Pakistan. Dr. Moeed Pirzada also highlighted numerous challenges democrats, free thinkers and independent journalists are facing in Pakistan.
PAKPAC described the event as “very successful”, saying it reached out to 92 congressional offices as part of its lobbying effort to press the Biden administration to demand of Islamabad respect human rights in the country.
“PAKPAC had a very successful day on the Hill and reached out to 92 congressional offices for the democratic principles and fundamental rights in Pakistan,” wrote Dr Jalil Khan, a former PAKPAC Board president and a noted cardiologist, in a Tweet.
PAKPAC had a very successful day on the hill and reached out to 92 congressional offices for the democratic principles and Fundamental rights in Pakistan. @MoeedNj @SHABAZGIL @UzmaDo @imsharief1 @docjalal1 @UFarooqMD1 @HanadiNadeem @MinhasNajma @imsharief1 pic.twitter.com/6iINZWQBUv
— Jalil Khan (@drjalil247) April 26, 2023
PAKPAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that aims to promote the interests of Pakistani Americans in the US political arena. It was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Washington D.C.
The organization’s primary objective is to increase the political participation and representation of Pakistani Americans in the American political system. It seeks to accomplish this by providing a platform for Pakistani Americans to engage with elected officials, political candidates, and policymakers, and by supporting political candidates who share their values and interests.
PAKPAC also advocates for policies that benefit the Pakistani American community, such as increased funding for education and healthcare, and support for small businesses and entrepreneurship. Additionally, it works to combat discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of American society.
It engages in various activities to achieve its goals, including voter registration drives, lobbying efforts, and hosting events featuring elected officials and political candidates. The organization also provides information and resources to help Pakistani Americans better understand the American political system and how to participate in it.