Pakistan's Diplomacy in Washington By Saeed M. Ali
Principal Consultant to the Senate Majority Leader California State Senate
Los Angeles, CAMr. Malik’s November 10, 2000 column is singularly misinformed, misleading, and dangerous.
Mr. Malik is misinformed when he claims that a “community” can “mold” a Congressional candidate or elected Representative with donations to be pro-Pakistan. While there is a large group of cynics who believe this to be true, the truth is that elected officials vote their district first and their contributors second.
Mr. Malik misleads when he suggests that donating more dollars to candidates will win loyalty to Pakistan. As a plain reading of any political contribution list from the Federal Election Commission’s website or the voting record from the Congressional website will show, political candidates constantly balance their position based on the domestic, district impact of their votes.
Mr. Malik’s position on how Pakistani-Americans handle their loyalty and commitment to their home country is dangerous to all. To see this, simply imagine how Pakistanis would react if 700,000 to 800,000 affluent Americans were to follow Mr.Malik’s advice and try to influence Paksitani politics.
I strongly recommend that Pakistani Americans carefully study the issues in their community, participate in the political process locally, and build their strength. The constant comparison to the “influence” of the Jewish community is misplaced: the Jewish community is integrated in their communities, they have lived, worked and died together for the same causes as non-Jews. Without first nursing the soil, Mr. Malik expects to reap a harvest. Pakistani Americans are talented, hard-working, family-oriented, and have strong moral and cultural values. Political participation built on those values will build true partnerships.
Finally, it is clear that Mr. Malik has led a sheltered life in American politics. His comments on women ambassadors are revealing. Come out of purdah, Mr. Malik, and look around. The world is achanging and you don’t need a weatherman to tell you which way it blows.