THERE exist two powerful pressure groups in American Congress, namely AIPAC which is pro-Israel and USINPAC, the political lobby for Indian Americans in Washington. Apart from this, there are lobbyists representing party leaders, unions and other influential big business groups representing Military-Establishment involved in armament and the oil industry. AIPAC is, without any doubt, the most powerful pressure group which, despite judgments by ICJ and reports by UN Secretary General and Human Rights organizations about Zionist brutal human rights violations in Gaza and West Bank, yet still manages to secure complete support of the Congress. The US has exercised its Veto Power in the UN Security Council 83 times, and out of this, 42 times in favour of Israel. The US House of Representatives has never passed a resolution against any military takeover, or coup in Pakistan, which has ousted an elected civilian government. The adoption of a resolution critical of Pakistan in House of Representatives could only have been achieved with support of AIPAC and USINPAC, and not just by the lobbying of Pakistani pro-PTI Diaspora.
The US Foreign Policy since WW2 evolves on – American National Interest; Economic Interests, Security Interests. In the pursuit of these objectives, it has preferred dealing with military dictators, willing to serve their security interests, rather than democratically elected political leaders who are answerable to an elected parliament. America’s current VP Kamala Harris’s mother was an Indian. Similarly former Governor, South Carolina, and US Permanent Rep to the UN, Nimarata NikKi Haley’s parents were Indian.
America has a history of facilitating military coups to remove elected civilian governments that, in order to protect their sovereignty and national interests, were reluctant to follow American strategic goals blindly. Almost every unconstitutional takeover in Asia, Africa and South Asia has been influenced by the US in pursuit of its own strategic objectives, often targeting countries rich in rare natural resources. Additionally, both India and Israel harbour ill will toward Pakistan.
The recent resolution passed by the House of Representatives highlights the complete failure of our diplomats stationed in Washington and other major cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles. This failure also points to the mismanagement or incompetence of the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Ministry, who are responsible for selecting ambassadors and making major policy decisions. Such outcomes are inevitable when appointments are made based on political recommendations or to oblige powerful stakeholders, violating merit.
Diplomacy suffers when foreign postings to various embassies and international forums are made as favours for services rendered to politicians. Nepotism should have no place in diplomatic assignments, yet it forms the basis for most foreign postings. Professional diplomats should serve and protect Pakistan’s national interests, not the interests of the political party or dictator in power. Conflicts of interest, such as pursuing immigration for themselves or their families and obtaining other favours like scholarships for their kin, hinder their primary objective.
The recent report by Geneva-based UN Group on Arbitrary Detentions was based on a petition submitted to them by PTI’s Zulfi Bokhari in 2023 about alleged human rights violation of former PM Imran Khan. This UN group sought comments from Foreign Office, but unfortunately nobody bothered to reply. Our Foreign Office needs a complete restructure. Those responsible for this unpardonable negligence, which has caused international embarrassment to Pakistan and a joy for our foreign adversaries, must be terminated without any benefits.
There is also cause for concern, about the background of those amongst the Pakistani Diaspora in America, who invested their money and time, lobbying for a particular political party, rather than the country of their origin. Had the national interest been their motive, they should have lobbied for a resolution in favour of Kashmir, whose population has been victim of worst human rights violations. Such negative lobbying has never been indulged in, by Indian Diaspora in America, irrespective of whether BJP or Congress is at helm. The Indian Constitution does not allow its citizens to be dual nationals. Foreign passport holders are ineligible to be members of any political party registered in India, or raise funds for them. As a consequence, they focus on American politics and have made inroads into the corridors of power.
Today Indian-origin American nationals are the second largest immigrant community and currently there are five Indian Americans in the Congress- Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rao Khanna. They have been appointed to key House panels, such as the powerful House Judiciary Committee/Sub committees on immigration, Integrity, Security and Enforcement, Intelligence-related matters (oversight of intelligence such as CIA, DNI, NSA and military intelligence programme) House Foreign Affairs Committee, House Science, Space and Technology Committee etc. In 2022 Aruna Miller became Lt Governor of Maryland. In the past Bobby Jindal was Governor Louisiana. Indian Americans constitute just 1% of the US population, yet own 33% of Silicon Valley start-ups and 8% of high technology firms. As compared to them, the Pakistani Diaspora, with a few exceptions, are polarized along Pakistan political party divides. They have as yet, not focused on American domestic politics, or made inroads into corridors of power. The Dual Nationality status allows them to be members of Pakistani political parties and contribute funds to them. Unlike the Indian Diaspora, which is united, and lobbies for the national interest of the country of their origin, the Pakistani Diaspora is divided.
It should be noted that PTI America is dominated by the family of former Gen Wajid Ali Burki, who was a member of Ayub’s junta, Pakistan’s first military dictator. He was the person who was involved in an organized campaign against Madre Millat Fatima Jinnah and her harassment. Wajid Ali Burki’s family migrated to America after Ayub Khan’s junta was removed by another dictator. It is time for Pakistan to set its house in order, restore constitutional supremacy and restrain its security services from being over exposed.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore.
