Aga Khan Foundation: Strictly Non-Political
Dr. Rashida Khakoo Chairman, National Committee
Aga Khan Foundation, U.S.A.

I am writing on behalf of the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. to request a formal correction of some misleading information published in the October 6, 2000 edition of Pakistan Link in an article describing a private luncheon in Northridge California for First Lady Hillary Clinton. Specifically, one of the photographs accompanying this article has an inaccurate - and potentially damaging - caption that describes two of the individuals attending the event as representing the Aga Khan Foundation.

You should be aware that neither of these individuals is a representative of the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Foundation was not involved in any manner in their - or anyone else’s - attendance at that event. Your caption, which I can only assume stems from a case of simple miscommunication, conveys the erroneous impression that the Aga Khan Foundation was officially supporting this luncheon.

Please note that the Aga Khan Foundation is a private non-denominational philanthropic organization established to help people in developing countries find solutions to problems of poor health, inadequate education, and low incomes. As such, the Aga Khan Foundation is strictly nonpolitical and takes great pains to ensure that it is not regarded as supporting - either directly or indirectly - any individual or organization involved in campaigns for public office. You will, therefore, understand my deep concern about the Foundation’s perceived association, as implied by your caption, with an event that could be viewed by many as political in nature, and possibly even as a fund-raiser, given Mrs. Clinton’s current Senate bid. In fact, you should know that we have already received inquiries front supporters of the Foundation who have read the article and are demanding an explanation for the organization’s involvement in such an event.

Under these circumstance, I trust that you will have no problem in printing a correction in the next issue of Pakistan Link that explicitly dissociates the Aga Khan Foundation from any involvement in this event and which clarifies that nether of the two individuals identified with the photograph were representing the Foundation in any capacity. Should you have any questions or require additional information about the Foundation’s activities, please call Mr. Iqbal Noor Ali, Chief Executive Officer for Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. at (202 ) 293-2537.