Pak-Americans make their presence felt at Democrats convention

Washington, Aug 27 : Pakistani Americans, who are known for their support for the Republicans, have made their presence felt at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Meanwhile, Indo-Americans are making an impressive show for the Democrats, as there are over one hundred Indian-Americans among delegates and several Indian expatriate organisations and business groups are hosting parties and events at the convention.

Several immigrant communities have strong caucuses within the Democratic Party, which is generally considered the party of ethnic minorities and immigrants. Pakistanis in the US have traditionally tended to be Republicans and for that reason their presence in Democratic ranks is nominal, reported the Daily Times.

The Democrats are favoured to win the 2008 election, especially by expanding their existing majority in the US Congress.

In the run up to the US presidential elections in November, Pakistan has been something of a campaign issue, especially after comments by both candidates - John McCain and Barak Obama - about the need to fight Al Qaeda on Pakistani soil and making unilateral strikes if necessary.

Prominent among Pakistanis attending the Convention are Dr Asif Mahmood Chaudhry, an elected delegate from California; Salman Aftab alternate delegate from Illinois; and Mushtaq Shaikh, alternate delegate from New York.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani, who is in Denver, made an appearance on the convention floor where he was greeted by congressional leaders, including Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Joseph Biden. The envoy also mingled with prominent US media personalities and politicians, many of whom he knows.

Haqqani is a guest of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), which is hosting 500 foreign dignitaries including ministers, parliamentarians and diplomats.

ANI