Pakistan Political Action Committees’ (PAK PAC) Annual Retreat in Vegas Accentuates Political Participation
Last weekend the Pakistani American political activist from across the United States descended in Vegas for the annual retreat of Pakistan Political Action Committee – PAK PAC. The local host committee Chairman Dr. Tariq Nadeem and PAK PAC board member Ms. Hanadi Nadeem made all the local arrangements for the three-day retreat for mapping out the PAK PAC’s 2018 political strategy.
PAK PAC invited the local community members to seek input from the grassroots political activists to shape the 2018 political agenda. The Friday dinner, hosted by Dr. Nadeem, was well attended by the members of the local Pakistani community and their friends. A moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of senseless violence in Florida. PAK PAC has become a voice of the growing Pakistani American community in the nations capital, Washington DC.
In addressing the attendees, PAK PAC National President Dr. Jalil Khan highlighted the achievements of PAK PAC and emphasized the continuous political participation at local and national level. The main objective of the retreat was to energize the Pakistani American community across the country to get actively engaged in the political process for the betterment of current and future generations.
Outgoing President Ms. Riffat Chughtai highlighted a busy 2017, beginning in January when the PAC hosted an open house with Democratic and Republican leaders in foreign policy, armed services, and civil liberties. “PAC engaged Republican Senator Jeff Flake from Arizona and Democratic Senator Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania to review the travel ban from specific countries,” said Riffat Chughtai. Additionally, the PAC hosted a bipartisan Iftar at their office across from the Capitol Hill.
PAK PAC founder Dr. Mohd. Suleman with Board Member Ms. Hanadi Nadeem at the Dinner Meeting
In Washington DC, the non-partisan group has worked across the aisle with both Democrats and Republicans. PAC is focusing on developing leaders of tomorrow and put a new generation of young Pakistani American students with the elected officials.
The organizations’ advisory council coordinator from Philadelphia, Ms. Mehreen Saeed informed the attendees of the council’s political engagement with Philadelphia Congressman Brenden Boyle. For 2018, Mehreen plans on enabling the younger generation of Pakistani Americans to get more actively engage at the local level.
Lisa Levine, an aide to Congresswoman Dina Titus presented a congressional proclamation to Dr. Jalil Khan, National President of PAK PAC. Congresswoman Jacky Rosen was the invited guest speaker along with the former Congressman Steven Horsford and Susie Lee, both a candidate for the US Congress.
Guest of honor, Congresswoman Jacky Rosen and a candidate for US Senate, thanked the community for their political involvement. Congresswoman stressed the importance of immigrants, diplomacy and human rights. For the upcoming elections, she suggested to vote for a candidate who is stubborn and fight for our family values and makes a difference.
Even before the former Congressman Steve Horsford reached for the mic, Dr. Nagy politely confronted the former Congressman with a comment “you were not accessible when you got elected” (sic). Congressman Horsford was taken by surprise and came up with a standard political response of that we have to come together to move our country forward. “I am frustrated with the division and hate in this country,” said Horsford. He continued with his extreme liberal agenda of growing economy for all of us and not just the rich and wealthy, health care for all, no debt education without providing on how he is going to achieve or fund his economic/social agenda.
Candidate for Congress Susie Lee spoke on her commitment to education and how she started a school dropout prevention program and the first after-school program in Las Vegas which is currently serving over 7000 kids. Her campaign promise is to Make America Ours Again.
In concluding remarks, the national board member from Louisiana and the founder of the PAC, Dr. Mohammad Suleman thanked the attendees for their commitment to advance the objectives of PAK PAC with active political involvement at all levels.