WASHINGTON: Leading Pakistani-American Democrat Dr. Asif Mahmood met US Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss Pakistan’s political situation.
California hosted the meeting. Mahmood confirmed the meeting to this scribe but did not reveal its content. He just said he “met and talked to Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Two attendees described the meeting’s focus on Pakistan’s political situation.
Mahmood alerted Harris about alleged human rights breaches and the recent charges against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and his life threats, sources said.
Mahmood also warned Harris about the arrests of PTI leaders and workers and said Pakistani freedom of expression and political assembly are threatened.
While, He regretted that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government disregarded the Supreme Court ruling and hampered electioneering.
According to sources, only free, fair, and timely elections can resolve the political and economic problems.
Mahmood previously met Brad Sherman, Ted Lieu, Eric Swalwell, Gregory Meeks, Ro Khanna, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Jacky Rosen, Mike Levin, and Linda Sanchez.
Moreover, He arranged phone calls for several of them to Khan.
House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Brad Sherman wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his advice.
Sherman wrote to Blinken, “to guide United States foreign policy towards a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to urge Pakistan authorities to investigate the alleged abuses and to hold accountable anybody who may be responsible.”
Sherman now denies that his letter supports Khan.
“I am particularly alarmed by incidents over the last year, especially the alleged torture and even sexual abuse of political figures such as former PM Khan’s Chief of Staff Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqui,” he remarked.
Mahmood’s Profile
Mahmood was the first Pakistani-American to run for Congress in the midterms. He spoke with leading Democrats after losing to incumbent Young Kim in California District 40.
When VP Harris supported his campaign, it was clearer. Payback for the presidential primaries. Mahmood liked Harris over Biden.
Hilary Clinton, who organised Mahmood’s political gathering, is another fan. Pakistani-American politicians’ first campaign event.
