The Coalition of Pakistani Americans, an umbrella organization of several Pakistani groups, announced that nearly all Pakistani Americans registered to vote will be casting their ballot in favor of John Kerry on November 2nd. At a meeting held at a restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens last week, the Coalition pointed out that 80 to 90 percent of Pakistani Americans are Democrats. Leaders and representatives of Pakistani American social and political organizations attended the meeting and strongly endorsed the candidacy of Senator John Kerry. The meeting opened with a recitation from the Holy Koran.
Amjad Nawaz, coordinator of overseas chapter of the Pakistan Muslim League – the party of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif – outlined the aims and objectives of the meeting and introduced the representatives from different organizations. The group’s leader, Dr. Khalid Luqman, also a Muslim League Party member, thanked the participants for showing interest in mainstream U.S. politics. He said that respecting the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of the Pakistani American community, the Coalition wholeheartedly supports Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John Edwards.
Luqman pointed out that the Pakistani-American community was the worst hit by the policies of the Bush Administration. “That’s why every Pakistani American who is a registered voter must vote for John Kerry.”
Luqman indicated that the Bush Administration’s support for the non-elected military government of General Pervez Musharraf in Pakistan was a joke to democracy. He added that despite Pakistan’s full support of the U.S. war against terrorism, Pakistanis were subjected to terrible treatment in the United States and considered as terrorists by the administration. Keeping these facts in mind, said Luqman, the Coalition had arrived at its decision with the full support of the community.
Speaking for the occasion, Pakistan League of America Chairman Zafar Sipra believed that Pakistani Americans must consider the United States their home and take an active part in the election process. He said we would lose a lot if we did not join mainstream politics.
Ahmad Jan of the Pakistan Day Committee said the Pakistani community should mobilize for voter registration.
Shafquat Khan, a Pakistani community activist from New Jersey, believed that Kerry and Edwards were the best available option in this presidential race. He accused the Bush Administration of being responsible for many of the problems the United States is facing today. He said the Bush Administration was ignoring the country’s problems by focusing on the election campaign.
Dr. Shafiq, a well-known poet and an activist of Pakistan People’s Party – the party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto – said Pakistani Americans came from a society whose only hallmark was human exploitation. He said that’s why we realize our mistakes only after receiving a jolt. He said that by becoming Democrats, the community will better their social standing.
Ajmal Chaudhary, a well-known Pakistani community figure from Staten Island, believed that no big change could be expected in U.S. domestic and foreign policy after Kerry’s victory in the elections. He remarked: “We have been forced to support Kerry because of the policies of the Bush Administration.” He said although Pakistan might not benefit by Kerry’s election, “we have to think as a community.”
Noted Pakistani social worker Dr. Rafiq Jan said he has always voted for presidential candidates who have been friendly to Pakistan. However, he did not say which candidate he would vote for in the upcoming elections.
Amjad Nawaz of Pakistan Muslim League’s International Affairs endorsed the decision of the coalition leaders.
Dr. Akram, who convened the Coalition, confided he was a Republican. He commented that for the sake of the community’s future generations, they had to determine who would be better for them and elect him. He pointed out how President Bush had toppled Saddam Hussain’s government by declaring him a dictator, while supporting the government of a dictator and the dictator himself in Pakistan.
Mr. Siddiqui, a local Pakistani businessman, said, “We have seen the results of our support for George W. Bush in the last elections. This time we must cast the ballot for John Kerry.”
Noted Kashmiri leader Malik Nadeem Abid said the Bush Administration had hurt Pakistanis and the Kashmiris too much. Therefore, the Kashmiri community in the United States would not vote for Bush on November 2nd. He also offered full cooperation to the Coalition on the Election Day.
Shakeela Qureshi, with women of the Pakistan Muslim League, who shared the same opinion with the other speaker, said that Muslims in Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan had been destroyed because of the Bush Administration’s wrong policies. She said 75 percent of American Muslim voters would give their vote to Kerry. Other women speakers for Kerry included Rafiq Jan, Begum Nazli, Tehmeena Bhutta and Robina Saeed.
Another Pakistani activist, Shahid Comrade, said Kerry’s election would not bring much of a change; however, he could stop abuses against Pakistanis. He said Pakistani Americans had to stand together against future deportations.
Nadeem Wamiq of MetLife said voting for Bush was tantamount to spoiling the vote. He said that Bush had his chance; now it was time to trust John Kerry. Later in the evening, those in attendance sang the U.S. and Pakistani national anthems. For Iftar (breaking the fast), a dinner was served at the end of the presentations.
