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US lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to help Pakistan overcome the current economic crisis

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On Tuesday, May 21st, PAKPAC held its 3rd Annual Bipartisan Congressional Iftar. This was under perfect weather on the roof of PAKPAC’s office (20 F Street, NW) overlooking the beautiful Capitol Dome.

Over 85 community leaders, traveling from near and far, joined Democrats and Republicans who are leaders on the critical committees Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Judiciary and Intelligence. These are the Congressional committees that affect the US-Pakistan relationship and the civil liberties of Pakistani American immigrants.

Democrats and Republicans who are currently arguing over impeachment came together during the busiest week of May before their Memorial Day break to join PAKPAC members. PAKPAC was founded in 1989 to amplify the voice of Pakistani Americans in Washington. It is the only community organization registered with the Federal Election Commission.

Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania) – Foreign Affairs Committee

Before PAKPAC launched this special tradition in 2017, nothing similar happened in Washington.

In keeping with a celebration of Bipartisanship and the US-Pakistan partnership, the evening served as the Washington launch of the newly reconstituted Congressional Pakistan Caucus. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), a leader on the Judiciary Committee and Congressman Jim Banks (R-Indiana), a leader on the Armed Services Committee praised the work of PAKPAC and made clear they look forward to many similar professional events.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the founder chairperson of the Pakistan caucus in the US Congress, while highlighting the need to revive the once close relationship between the United States and Pakistan, emphasized the need to help Pakistan overcome the current economic crisis.

Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim Congresswomen, said that Muslims “have been unjustly targeted to ignite fear and promote an agenda of hate.

Congressman Jack Bergman (R-Michigan) – Highest Ranking General in Congress

We are all so much better when we work together…. We have so much in common than we do in our differences

Republican Congressman and a retired general Jack Bergman said while favoring a cooperative relationship between the U.S. and Pakistan.

Mrs. Riffat Chughtai, the PAKPAC founder, presented the Diplomatic Leadership Award to Prof. Akbar Ahmed. Jalil Khan, the president of the Committee welcomed lawmakers and members of the community to the event while, Rao Karman Ali, the newly elected PAKPAC leader, vowed to make it a dynamic organization. The organizers included several Pakistani-American achievers including Dr. Rashid Chotani, Dr. Umer Farooq and Iman Malik.

As a keynote speaker, Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at the American University, appreciated PAKPAC for hosting the event as a platform to advance dialogue.

Dr. Zulfiqar Kazmi, head of The Commongrounds interfaith organization, spoke about Prof. Akbar Ahmed’s scholarly contributions and the importance of the two countries to working together. He applauded PAKPAC leadership for the Iftar initiative.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Illinois) – Select Intelligence Committee

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) – Retired CIA Officer, Armed Services Committee

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat, urged the Pakistani American community to actively participate in American politics. She said she was elected to Congress with 50 votes and “this could not have happened without support from the Pakistani Americans in my constituency”.

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