We are PAKPAC
PAKPAC educates Pakistani-Americans on pressing policy debates and provides them a unique platform to influence these debates.
PAKPAC activities are governed by its National Board which elects a President for a three year term. Each member of the Board contributes at least $4,000 annually and is actively engaged in politics.
History
The Pakistani American Political Action Committee was founded in 1989 by a group of visionary Pakistani Americans. In an increasingly complex world, our founders saw a need for greater political coordination, activism and advocacy.
Today, our adopted home, the United States, stands at difficult foreign policy crossroads. Decisions made in Washington will affect future generations across the globe. PAKPAC members are impacting and educating policymakers.
PAKPAC is the only Pakistani-American organization registered with the Federal Election Commission. We are not affiliated with any political party in Washington or Islamabad. All PAKPAC funding and expenditures are public record as required by federal regulations.
Mission
We support candidates who are committed to federal policies that promote good governance, education and security in Pakistan and civil liberties in the United States.
The National Board
PAKPAC educates Pakistani-Americans on pressing policy debates and provides them a unique platform to influence these debates.
PAKPAC activities are governed by its National Board which elects a President for a two year term.
Each member of the Board contributes at least $4,000 annually and is actively engaged in politics.
RAO KAMRAN ALI
National Board President 2020, Texas
Dr Rao Kamran Ali is President of PAKPAC National Board. He is Council Member of APPNA, Chair of APPNA Social Forum and Loan committee and Co-Chair of APPNA Advocacy Committee.
Dr Ali has lead multiple organizations. He is past president of APPNA OHIO, past president of Nishtar Alumni of North America, past president of Richland County Medical Society.
Dr Ali is a Dallas based interventional Pain management physician. entrepreneur, sociopolitical activist, philanthropist.
Dr Ali is Columnist at Jang and Express, Analyst at ARY News, Blogger at “Tez Hay Noke Qalam. with over a hundred thousand followers.
JALIL KHAN
Former National Board President, Texas
Jalil Khan specializes in preventive cardiology. He resides in Dallas, Texas, along with his four beautiful daughters and wife of 21 years, Ayesha. He was born and raised in Pakistan and graduated from the Allama Iqbal Medical School of Punjab University. Whether through planning 5,000 person national medical conventions, volunteer relief after the devastating 2010 Pakistan floods or participating in ACLU Dallas activities, he follows the words of Thomas Edison: “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
IJAZ CHAUDHRY
Board Member, Pennsylvania
Ijaz Chaudhry, Esq. is a second generation Pakistani-American who lives and works in the Philadelphia suburbs. His first job was on Capitol Hill in Washington. He has devoted his law career and free time to strengthening civil liberties for all Pennsylvanians. He is an elected Democratic State Committee member in Pennsylvania. He is most passionate about civic engagement and political empowerment for all minorities and immigrant communities.
RIFFAT CHUGHTAI
Board Member, Pennsylvania
Riffat has been an active member of the Pittsburgh community since 1981. She holds a Masters from Duquesne University and multiple certifications in Medical Management and has been an entrepreneur at the forefront of health care IT. She pioneered a Muslim youth group, helped establish the Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, and served as Executive Director of a free clinic in the old steel town of Braddock. Additionally, she was the first co-chair of the Allegheny County Health Advisory Council and active board member of the Pittsburgh ACLU. She serves on the State Department backed US-Pakistan Women’s Council. She is the wife of Mubashar Chughtai, an internal medicine doctor educated at King Edward Medical College.
UMAR FAROOQ, M.D., CMD
Board Member, Pennsylvania
Dr. Umar Farooq is a board certified in Internal Medicine with a private practice in Bensalem, PA along with his wife Dr. Sabahat Farooq. He is also a certified medical director (CMD) of nursing homes and a hospice. Dr. Farooq is a preceptor and teaching attending for medical students and residents at Aria Health System. He is a civil surgeon for USCIS. Dr. Umar Farooq ran for Bucks County Coroner office in November 2011 as the democratic candidate. He is well known socially and politically in the community and widely recognised for his bipartisan work that includes Health, Education, Public Safety and Political awareness. He is actively involved in the growth of the community and developing and maintaining the community process. He always emphasised to take an active part in local politics and engage in civic duties. He is the Founder & Chairman of RECAP (Reaching & Empowering Communities across Pennsylvania).
ARIF MAHMOOD
Board Member, Texas
Dr. Arif is a primary care physician who currently resides and practices in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is a certified medical director of several nursing homes as well as a real estate investor. Dr. Arif has a strong passion for civic engagement and stays actively involved within Wichita Falls. Also he is an avid art collector with a strong interest in miniature art and Kufic calligraphy. He also enjoys writing and has published several works with Dawn, The Friday Times, and numerous local magazines. His strongest desire remains to serve others and better humanity. He firmly believes in the words of Abdul Sattar Edhi,
“People have become educated, but have not yet become human”.
SALMAN MALIK
Board Member, New Hampshire
Salman Malik was raised in New York City after immigrating from Pakistan in 1973. He obtained his dental degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from Stony Brook University. He is a practicing oral & maxillofacial surgeon in New Hampshire. Dr. Malik has a passion for community service. He has served on many boards, including the Islamic Society of Greater Manchester, YMCA of Londonderry, and the local chapter of Rotary International. In 2016, he was selected by the governor to serve on the New Hampshire of Board of Dental Examiners. He has traveled to Mexico to treating patients affected by cleft lip and palate.
DR. FARRUKH ADHAMI
Board Member, Indiana
Dr. Adhami is a board certified hematologist who lives and works in Ft. Wayne. He also serves as a Professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed a fellowship from the University of New Mexico and a residency at UNC. He is a graduate of Allam Iqbal Medical College in Lahore. He is a proud and active Hoosier engaged with local, state and federal policymakers.
NAEEM A QAZI M.D.FACC
Board Member, Virginia
Naeem A Qazi is a 1973 graduate of King Edwards Medical College in Lahore. He immigrated to the United States in 1974 - a historic year in American politics. He is a leading expert on cardiovascular diseases and has a private practice in rural Bluefield, VA. He is the proud father of three daughters and a son.
MOHAMMAD SULEMAN
Board Member, New Orleans
Mohammad Suleman is an accomplished surgeon who has practiced in the New Orleans area since 1981. He came to the United States in 1972 after graduating from King Edward Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. He trained as a surgeon in New York before moving to Louisiana. Suleman has been involved with PAKPAC since its inception in the 1990s and served as president of the national board in 2009.
He has been very active in the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America, serving initially as the president of his local chapter and then as Treasurer, Secretary, and ultimately as President of APPNA in 2002. He also has served as president of the Alumni Association of King Edward Medical College.
ASAD MALIK
Board Member, Michigan
Asad Malik is the CEO and President of the Amerilodge Group, a privately-owned company which manages, operates and owns hotels in the Midwestern United States. In 2018, Malik was named as one of DBusiness’ 500 Most Powerful Business Leaders and Amerilodge was listed as one of Crain’s Fast 50-Fastest Growing Companies. He was recognized by Ernst & Young as EY Entrepreneur of the Year and received the Michigan Economic Bright Spot Award. Prior to starting his career in hospitality, Asad held several executive leadership positions in finance at top hospitals in Michigan, including his last role as Vice President of Finance at Henry Ford West Bloomfield, part of the Henry Ford Health System.
FUNDI CHOUDRY
Board Member, Maryland
Fundi Choudry is based in Washington DC, but has lived in Pakistan for 7 years. He graduated from George Washington University with a BA in Economics and is currently pursuing his CFA Charter. He is the Chief Investment Officer of Dacious Capital LLC, an investment firm based in Washington DC. He has an avid observer of geo-politics with a keen interest in the US-Pakistan Relationship.
Gohar A. Salam
Board Member, Indiana
Dr. Salam is a Retina Surgeon in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He received his M.D. from Dow Medical College and D.O. degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He has completed residencies in Family Medicine and Ophthalmology. He completed a fellowship in surgical and medical retina at Indiana University School of Medicine where he was given the prestigious Merrill A. Grayson Fellowship Award. He holds an academic appointment at Indiana University School of Medicine Fort Wayne.
Dr. Salam has proudly served in the United States Army Reserve and was awarded State of Indiana Governor’s Achievement Award for military service in 2008.
Ari Mittleman
Executive Director
You can read more about Ari Mittleman here in his Welcome message to Pak Pac.
