Pakistani Americans generally fare as high achievers among immigrant communities – with students excelling in grades, medical doctors expanding their numbers to around 20,000, financial managers serving in local American and international institutions like the World Bank, working as scientists, security experts, academics and also living the American dream as successful entrepreneurs.
However, in two key fields they have had much smaller representations – media and politics.
But this month two citizens including Maryland-based business Sajid Tarar, and Khizr Khan, father of fallen US soldier, appeared as speakers at Republican and Democratic national conventions respectively.
Their appearances marked the first time that two members of the community made it to the national political scene.
A day after Khan expressed support for Hillary Clinton and challenged Trump if he really had read the United States Constitution, Voice of America’ Urdu service in the nation’s capital hosted a discussion on the subject. Anchor Asad Hassan of program “Jahan Rang” shot a question pointedly. What is the significance of the occasion for Pakistani Americans?
I started off by saying that irrespective of the political views both Tarar and Khan hold and irrespective of their own political own affiliations, Pakistani Americans must greet this occasion.
The added importance stems from the fact that such representation of the community was long overdue. Besides, both Tarar and Khan were able to articulate their political positions to national political gatherings of the two parties.
Donald Trump with members of Diversity Coalition Monday April 18. 2016
Photo Sajid Tarar
Both also received a lot of media attention – Tarar appearing on CNN and other media outlets to explain boldly why as a Muslim he is supporting Trump at a time when the GOP candidate has called for banning Muslims from entering the United States.
Khan’s message resonated with liberal circles and the Democratic party as, being father of the fallen military hero, he challenged Trump to tell Americans what sacrifices he has rendered for the United States. The New York Times and Washington Post gave prominence to Khan’s speech. Republican senator John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain called Khan’s speech as the” most powerful moment” of the evening.
Quite impressively, both underscored their stakes in success of the American dream and voiced their concerns as American citizens.
Dr. Rashid Chothani, who represents an independent think tank, while participating in the VOA discussion, highlighted the point that two Pakistani Americans also represented American Muslims in this heightened political season when Muslims have been the subject of debate.
He also emphasized that irrespective of their political leanings, Pakistani Americans should welcome this representation at conventions of both major political parties.
But should this occasion be taken as an end in itself, I later thought to myself. Certainly, not. In fact, compared with their Indian and South American peers, Americans of Pakistani descent are late entrants on the political scene, although a lot of Pakistani Americans have close ties with leaders in the Democratic Party.
Additionally, Pakistani Americans have not so far held any influential state or national administrative office. Indian-Americans, on the other hand, have had governors and senior officials at the State Department. Two Pakistani Americans at the State Department have also served as US envoys to Muslim communities.
Then, there is an absence of Pakistani Americans at the city, county and state level governance and politics.
Interestingly, an American of Pakistani and Indian descent, Huma Abedin serves as vice chairwoman of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.
So, what is the way forward for Pakistani Americans?
The young Americans of Pakistani descent should feel encouraged and motivated to join politics. But that must start at the county and city levels. They should also be encouraged to serve as staffers on the Capitol Hill. Together with higher level of representation in mainstream politics, Pakistani Americans’ participation in local politics will also help to advance US-Pakistan relationship in trade, economic and political areas. Just as their entrepreneurial spirit contributes to US economic development. Pakistani Americans’ success in politics will also serve America well.
