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Pakistani-American committee endorses Trump, criticizes Biden over Imran Khan’s detention

PAKPAC praises Trump for past Pakistan ties, criticizes Biden-Harris for ignoring Imran Khan's ‘political’ detainment

Pakistani-American committee endorses Trump, criticizes Biden over Imran Khan’s detention
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a rally in Coachella, California, U.S., October 12, 2024.
Reuters

The Pakistani-American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC -USA) has announced the endorsement of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential elections next month, alleging the present US democratic government for failing to ‘secure the release” of former prime minister and the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Imran Khan.

In the context of US politics, organizations that raise funds, actively engage in political activities including the legislation are called PAC. There are numerous other PACs like American Israel Public Affairs Committee that is considered to be the most powerful of all these organization in terms of wielding a strong political influence over the US polices.

PAKPAC USA, by definition promotes Pakistan’s interests in the US Congress, it also takes a credit on the passage of a Congress resolution this July, which demanded “full and independent investigation” into the Pakistan’s general elections. The resolution was nonbinding in nature.

The majority of its members comprise highly educated doctors and many successful Pakistani American businessmen.

In a press release issued on X, PAKPAC has praised Donald Trump's engagement with Pakistan during his first tenure, referring to his meeting with then-prime minister Imran Khan and applauded his administration for forging close ties with other ministers at that time. "While we certainly do not agree with the former President on every issue," the statement elaborated, "we believe the former President is the candidate who will improve U.S.-Pakistan relations."

On the other hand, the statement has expressed disappointment in Biden- Harris administration for not actively seeking the release of “political prisoners” and letting Pakistan fall prey to “legislative coup”, indicating the removal of Imran Khan through a no confidence motion initiated by the joint opposition parties in April 2022.

Talking to Nukta the President elect and board member of PAKPAC, Dr Uzma Ali said that Biden-Harris administration was not willing to listen to their demands relating to political situation back in Pakistan. “Trump campaigners are at least open to listening to the demands of Pakistani diaspora”, she added.

Responding to a question whether PAKPAC is driven by a single point agenda that is to seek help from US legislatures to stand by Imran khan, she clarified that this was a major part of their demands but the organizations was more committed to strengthening the democratic institutions in Pakistan more than anything.

An active Republican and the member of finance committee of Trump’s presidential campaign, Sajid Tarar while talking to Nukta welcomed the PAKPAC’s endorsement and called it the right step for Pakistanis to become part of mainstream US politics although he indicated that arranging fund raisers by the organization and bringing the Pakistani diaspora collectively to support the endorsement would have more beneficial for the Pakistani community in the long run.

Dr Uzma added that so far PAC had not made any donations to the Trump campaign although the workers at the local administration level were open to helping the Trump campaign turn into a success.

The endorsement could have been a quiet affair until the Indian American Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna took to X (formerly twitter) criticizing present Democratic administration for not taking sides with incarcerated former PM Imran Khan on his ousting from the PM office.

Khanna, who has strong support among South Asian Americans, stated that Democrats could win over Pakistani American voters if Kamala Harris were to take a "clear and moral stand for democracy in Pakistan and freeing Imran Khan. His tweets were later shared by PAKPAC through their official X account.

The endorsement is being viewed by many political analysts for dividing the Pakistani diaspora on party lines instead of safeguarding the bilateral US- Pakistan relationship but the members of PAKPAC categorically deny any negative impact of the endorsement on the interests of Pakistani community at large.

In the past former Prime Minister Imran khan has openly alleged Washington for conspiring against his government and toppling his regime through Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs in the Department of State. Khan had accused Lu for meddling with Pakistan’s internal affairs. Although Imran Khan failed to provide any proof to substantiate its claim.

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