Pakistan important to security of US: Congressman

WASHINGTON: Congressman Brad Sherman has said there is no country more important to the security of America than Pakistan and there is no community more tolerant than Sindhi speaking community of Pakistan. Sherman,whowas instrumental in the launching of a Sindhi language website of the US Consulate in Karachi last year, was speaking in a celebration organised in his honor for his efforts in protecting the Sindhi people, language and culture. H e also spoke at length about the issues related to rise in religious extremism, enforced or involuntary disappearance of Sindhi nationalists by what he said establishment and agencies, forced conversion of Hindu women, and Sindh Police torture policy called ‘half fry-full fry’. “We are building bridges between Sindh and the people of the United States. We want the American government to communicate with the people of Sindh in Sindhi language. We have recently been successful in bringing the broadcast of Voice of America in the Sindhi language, which is a milestone and a step towards Sindh’s promotion." Sindh United Party Chairman Syed JalalMehmood Shah, while welcoming the Congressman Brad Sherman to the Sindhi Foundation, applauded the efforts of Congressman in raising the issues of Sindh in Congress. Sindh’s strength is the world’s strength was the slogan of Sindh Foundation that invited the Congressman at its culture day in Washington. Sherman, who has been made the Cochair of Sindh Caucus, was given the award in a ceremony for his efforts in protecting the rights of Sindhi people, language and culture in the US Congress. Speaking on the occasion, Shah said that USAID funding in Sindh on development projects had proper utilisation of funds in Pakistan. But Shah said we still have to reach our goal as people of Sindh were living in a pathetic condition, where their identity as Sindhi secular and Sufi nation was on stake. He claimed since the inception of Pakistan, there were three fundamental issues of the State. Aligning the religion with the state affairs; denial of historic nations in the Federation of Pakistan; and relationship with the neighboring countries and the world. So the solution must be pursued around these issues, he said. If today religious extremism is prevailing in Pakistan and in the region, it is because of the claimby the state that “it isMuslimstate and the rule of Islamis the fundamental instrument of the state affairs.” Then, he said, peace and harmony in the region will be always under threat. “We strive for separating religion from state affairs and in this regard we are expecting fromtheworld community, specially the United States, to support the secular, national and real democratic forces in Pakistan.” “We demanded and created Pakistan as a Federation consisting of historic nations, but since its formation the national identity of federating units was denied. By force it is imposed to accept the national identity as a single Pakistani Nation," he said. He saidwe believe thatwithout harmonising the common interests, we cannot be one nation. At present, the national interests of each of the nationalities in the Federation of Pakistan is in conflict with the interests claimed as “national interest of Pakistan.” Until and unless the national interests of historic nations are not admired and safeguarded, the true look of the Federation can’t be viewed. So we demand from the world community to support secular, national and real democratic forces in Pakistan for their autonomous national identity in the Federation of Pakistan. He was of the view that unnecessary involvement in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries had created security problems in the region. "We believe that Pakistan shouldmaintain good relations with all its neighbouring countries. This will reduce the tension on the borders and defence budget. The funds so saved shall be spent on the development of the country to bring about peace, progress and prosperity."