PADF Pakistan Day Meet
Supports Policy Study
A Pakistan Link Report
Newark, CA: The Pakistan
American Democratic Forum (PADF) held a “meeting of
the minds” of sorts in Newark, California on Sunday,
March 27, 2005 to help rejuvenate local activism and to
highlight the need for people of Pakistani origin in the
United States to counter current anti-Pakistan media and
thinktank reports via serious academic rebuttal.
Around 25 individuals representing either themselves or
three other organizations, namely the Strategic Research
Foundation (SEF), American Institute of International Studies
(AIIS), and the local Pakistan Association of San Francisco
spent over three hours exchanging views on a number of issues.
The discussion was led by meeting convener Dr. Agha Saeed
of the PADF.
Participants in the PADF Meeting |
The overall picture drawn was one of confusion. At the point
in history when the American Administration is finally re-supporting
the delivery of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan (while also
offering a Strategic Partnership to India) and while General
Musharraf is making a (much too generous?) peace offering
to New Delhi on Kashmir, the negative vibes simultaneously
being generated regarding Pakistan’s future remain
irksome.
As an example the topic focused on was: “By year 2015”
reads a recent NIC/CIA report, “Pakistan would be
a failed state, ripe with civil war, bloodshed, inter-provincial
rivalries, and a struggle for control of its nuclear weapons
and complete Talibanization.” The question can be
asked; “Which Pakistan are they talking about?”
The PADF has recently commissioned a study of major think
tank reports about Pakistan. The study will include a compendium
of all major reports, systematic analysis of the policy
implications of each, and a set of recommendations for Pakistani-American
activist community. The PADF plans to release the results
of this study by late May or early June. Those seeking to
support this project can send their contributions to PADF:
39675 Cedar Blvd., Suite 220-E, Newark, CA 94560. For further
information call (510) 299 - 9313 or visit http://www.padfonline.org/
.
Most of the discussion was devoted to finding ways to revive
independent Pakistani-American activism with a focus on
a democratically defined set of major goals, since many
organizations now agree on “unity of purpose and division
of labor”. Several new activists have joined this
effort, many of whom have become involved with Pakistan-related
activities for the first time.
There was a mixed response to a number of issues including
whether General Musharraf should give up his uniform in
compliance with the Pakistan Constitution. PADF supports
such a move. A summary of individual comments and insights
closed the meet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
