PAL-C and
the Media’s Responsibility
By Pervaiz Lodhie
Torrance, CA
I am one of the founding directors
of PAL-C, one of the best and most proud US citizen.
You can easily learn about me and my activities
by doing GoogIe search on my name. I have been
in the USA for 40 years and almost every one nationwide
knows me through my full-page community advertisements
in every other issue of Pakistan Link (http://www.pakistanlink.com/ledtronics.htm).
I am also a founding member of MCAC, an initiative
at the FBI/DOJ to help give US Muslims a free
voice. MCAC includes CAIR, MPAC, Shura Council
and more.
I just finished reading a few articles. I could
immediately sense a political bias and a political
agenda for writing of these articles. I then saw
the weblink and it was clear. Journalists by the
use of their pen can help make big constructive
changes to this world in turmoil or continue to
be mainly responsible for part of the global mess
we see ourselves in today. The two articles could
not be more farther from the truth than what I
have read in my entire life. I decided to reply
immediately because while truth keeps me energized,
lies make me a fighter also.
I see a silver lining in the articles and the
one written by a Berkeley student in the Pakistan
Link of Sept 29th, 2006. I am excited that PAL-C
is becoming a recognized name, especially in the
Pakistani political circles. PAL-C from the day
of its founding is a 100% private initiative of
Pakistani Americans who happen to love and care
about the large Pakistani American community under
siege in US since 9/11 and also deep love for
Pakistan. No other entity, group, political party,
present or past, has ever influenced or dictated
to us about our mission and goals. PAL-C is very
young. It has very minimal funds that are provided
by few of us. PAL-C has to quickly mobilize the
entire Pakistani-American community in all 50
states. It has to become the collective voice
of all of us so that we can be heard on the Hill.
With a small, initial effort we have made remarkable
success in encouraging a Congressional Pakistan
Caucus of 74 members on the Hill.
Now we must become a voice that is heard. It will
need intellectual and financial support of ALL
PAKISTANI AMERICANS. People like you, the Pakistan
Embassy, the Consulates, the Pakistani groups
like PAC, PAKPAC, APPNA, COPPA, AOPP, FOP etc
can all help PAL-C be that voice that educates
the US lawmakers, promotes Pakistan, watches out
for the interest of Pakistani Americans that have
worked so hard for decades to be the best citizens
of this country.
We don't have a choice and time is short. Most
of us will not move out of America. Our children
have now grown up and it will be harder for them
to move out of the US. We cannot wait for another
disaster like 9/11 to wake us up. It will put
us in internment camps or secret-holding places
no one will ever be able to find.
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