US asks Pak-Americans to be like Indian-American

Washington, Apr 22: Pakistani-Americans have been asked by Obama Administration to be like Indian-Americans in enhancing relations between Pakistan and the US, just as the latter has helped in improving Indo-US ties.

"The Pakistani diaspora in the US can play important role in improving US-Pak relations, just as the Indian diaspora in this country already play a very affirmative role in terms of strengthening bonds between our two countries," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs PJ Crowley told reporters.

Dubbing it as part of US' ongoing effort to explain their roles in strengthening relationships which could be of benefit for both the countries.

"But it obviously continues to be a challenge," he said.

Hillary Clinton, after assuming office as Secretary of State, has played a key role in motivating Pakistani-Americans to work towards forging a bond between people of both the countries.

Clinton was instrumental in forming American Pakistan Foundation (APF) in early 2010 and the foundation is co-chaired by former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Pakistani Prime Minister Moen Qureshi.

Both Powell and Qureshi said that APF's main objective was to assists in the development of Pakistan and to build relationship between the people of both the countries.

"The goal of APF is to serve as a catalyst for social and economic progress from the smallest villages to the largest cities of Pakistan through strategic philanthropy and public-private partnerships," Powell and Qureshi had said in an op-ed in Feb 2010.

"The Pakistani-American community has a great opportunity to develop this organisation, which will impact the lives of Pakistani people and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Pakistani and American people," they wrote.

During the inaugural function of the event, Clinton said that United States will stand by Pakistan in every areas.

"Pakistan is at a critical juncture, and we are here to show solidarity with the people of Pakistan. Whether we hail from the government or the private sector or academia, the not-for-profit sector, whether we have family ties in Pakistan or just wish that we did, we all have a stake in Pakistan's future."

OneIndia News