DALLAS: Pakistani American Physician Dr. Arjumand Hashmi who holds the highest civilian Award from the Pakistani government, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, has been elected for a third term in Paris, Texas as mayor .
He is the first Muslim Pakistani who became a Mayor for the third time in U.S. history.
He won this election by securing 66% votes.
While discussing his
By ONLINE
June 14, 2015
DALLAS: Pakistani American Physician Dr. Arjumand Hashmi who holds the highest civilian Award from the Pakistani government, the Sitara-i-Imtiaz, has been elected for a third term in Paris, Texas as mayor .
He is the first Muslim Pakistani who became a Mayor for the third time in U.S. history.
He won this election by securing 66% votes.
While discussing his accomplishment with Geo/Jang group correspondent he said that his re-election is a result of his work in his previous tenures as Mayor of the city of Texas.
Mr Hashmi said he gave people dreams and worked hard to fulfill them . He said that if local residents of Paris had been prejudiced, they would never have voted for him, and would have elected a local American lady who was his opponent.
He said he is happy and satisfied for being elected as a Mayor for third time, and would like to serve the city by making lot of improvements, and bring good changes for the next two years.
Dr Hashmi said local Pakistani Americans need to increase their interaction with local Americans at all levels and all fields. He said that currently, their contribution to local system is near zero.
He said that running in elections is not always for a victory , but sometimes it is to gain experience too, so as you can learn from your shortcomings.
He said though “we came from Pakistan, and we still maintain our connections with Pakistan, our kids are raised here, so we have to participate in our local issues.”
Responding to a question, Dr. Hashmi said, that it is not true that I work as a bridge between Pakistani and US establishment, though, I believe that every Pakistani American should be playing this role in enhancing friendship between two countries.
He said he is neither any agent of any government, nor any interlocutor of any agency.
The doctor said “This is true, presidents or some people from establishment have come for medical help, I see lot of other patients too, but media see only famous people.
“While providing medical help you make new friends,” said he. When asked if the infamous medical certificate he reportedly issued for ex-president Musharraf, was because of your friendship with him, Dr. Hashmi replied that he still stand by that certificate. “However, I cannot talk more about that certificate; though the certificate I issued, was based on medical reports,”.
He said that in US, giving a wrong certificate can take away one’s license, and he would not let this happen a medical certificate.
Responding to a question on racial and religious discrimination, he said that a lot of people have wrong impression on this subject. “Had people voted on ethnic or religious lines, then they would not have elected me.
He said that he had convinced people through his work, and had shown progress in the city.
For Pakistanis, he said his message is “elect people whom you can trust, and those who are honest
