MNA Shehryar Khan Afridi Visits Northern California
By Ras H. Siddiqui

Northern California experienced a whirlwind visit by Pakistani Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Shehryar Khan Afridi in early September 2024 during which he attended both public and private gatherings in the Sacramento, San Francisco Bay, and Stockton-Lodi areas. Not all his meetings were political but since he is an elected member from Kohat (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by currently incarcerated Imran Khan, there was certainly a political dimension to his tour here too.

We in this area have hosted events headlined by other members of the Afridi tribe of Pashtuns before, but those were centered around cricket-playing Afridi. And when any Afridi visits, they experience both local Pakistani and specifically Pashtun hospitality. This was the case at the two events that were attended by this writer, a private one at an area residence on September 3 rd and a public one at the Town & Country Event Center in Rancho Cordova on September 6 th. This report will focus on the second event, but the first one was also well attended, especially since it was the evening of a working day.

Both meetings were attended by those interested or curious about what is happening in Pakistan these days, and they were not disappointed. Not all the information shared was as grim as social media makes it out to be, but our community concerns were heard loud and clear. There was a clear indication from several attendees that the continued imprisonment of Imran Khan is not acceptable to the Pakistani American community and that his safety too is of immediate concern. And the idea of having a PTI without Imran Khan as its leader was not acceptable either. And everyone irrespective of party affiliations was concerned about the state of the Pakistani economy, since inflation there (e.g. electricity bills) is devastating even middle-class families.

Shehryar Khan Afridi is an eloquent speaker and answered questions at both events without being evasive. But the one thing that stood out was that he was not one to dwell on the negative. He remains committed to the pursuit of human dignity while acknowledging the security threats faced by the country. Afridi spoke of a time when Pakistan was able to give a loan to Germany, compared to now when it is asking for loans. On the current situation, he said that Pakistan is misperceived in the world and that it should be valued much more than it is for facing issues that are important to all of us globally.

On the PTI, he said that in the last election over 90% of the families of military personnel themselves voted for the PTI. He added that nobody should be above the law in Pakistan. He said that Imran Khan is still standing tall by facing all the cases against him no matter how farfetched in the courts, and that his ordeal is making his detractors look bad. The one agenda that the PTI remains focused on and will not deviate from is pursuing “The Rule of Law,” said Afridi. Imran Khan is determined, and he will not compromise on this.

Shehryar Afridi also shared his appreciation of Pakistani Americans. He encouraged the community to get involved in local politics in America and not just focus on Pakistan (one can only agree because our present and future are here). He also encouraged participation in the academia in this country and to stay connected to its universities and think tanks. He also requested the community to invest in youth, both here in America and in Pakistan (where there is a lot of talent waiting to be tapped). And lastly, he appreciated V Loggers and other activists on media platforms. Tell the world about Pakistan and become a voice for the country, he said. Even one person can do wonders these days (with the powerful social media tools available).   

Some other points were stressed by Afridi. Pakistani Americans can have a difference of opinion in politics, but they should not put the country down. The country is your mother. On Pakistan itself, there can be no compromise. Don’t get too pessimistic. Join and unite, Pakistan will rise and shine Insha’Allah. And to conclude here, he also made an interesting prediction. PTI and Imran Khan will return to power, and this could be in only a matter of months.