On October 30th, 2024, key leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) USA and First Pakistan Global held an important roundtable meeting with Lara Trump, Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump. Held in Maryland, this high-stakes meeting, led by PTI’s Sajjad Burki, Dr. Usman Malik, and Atif Khan, along with prominent Pakistani-American physicians such as Dr. Saira Bilal and Dr. Abbas, was a targeted effort to secure U.S. political support amidst what PTI describes as an escalating assault on democracy in Pakistan and the unlawful imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
PTI’s leadership in the US is actively engaged in educating key American leaders about the state of democracy and human rights in Pakistan. @SajjadBurki and @akhan4pakistan joined a group of Pakistani-American physicians in a detailed round-table discussion with Lara Trump,… pic.twitter.com/A6PPLQ6hR6
— PTI USA Official (@PTIOfficialUSA) October 31, 2024
Importance of the Meeting
As Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee, Lara Trump holds considerable sway within the Republican Party and is known for her outreach on international issues as part of the Trump family’s global network. With experience as the producer and host of Trump Productions’ Real News Update and the producer for Inside Edition, Lara brings a media-savvy approach to political advocacy. Her engagement with the PTI not only underscores the potential for continued collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan but also reflect a broader strategy to connect with the Pakistani diaspora in the United States. As the PTI seeks to strengthen its ties with American political figures, Lara’s involvement could facilitate a more robust dialogue on shared interests.
Very productive meeting with President Trump’s daughter in law and RNC co chair Lara Trump about the current situation in Pakistan. She showed great concern about the arrest of Imran Khan and promised to help once Donald Trump gets elected. @PTIofficial @PTIOfficialUSA… pic.twitter.com/ZfObvCjuzq
— Sajjad Burki (@SajjadBurki) October 31, 2024
During former President Donald Trump’s administration, U.S.-Pakistan relations saw a period of relative stability and cooperation, a time that many Pakistanis recall as one of strengthened diplomatic ties. President Trump’s administration fostered bilateral engagement with Pakistan, a stark contrast to the current political impasse characterized by the Biden administration’s silence on the erosion of democracy in Pakistan and the suppression faced by Imran Khan, the country’s most popular political figure. The perception of Trump as sympathetic to Pakistan has only grown among PTI supporters, many of whom see a potential Trump 2024 victory as a route to securing U.S. support for democratic restoration in Pakistan.
At the roundtable, the PTI team briefed Lara Trump on the pressing political crisis engulfing Pakistan. They provided an account of the severe repression facing Imran Khan and his party, with evidence of continued arrests, restrictions on free speech, and an electoral process that has left the democratic legitimacy of Pakistan’s government in question. PTI leaders urged Lara Trump to recognize the need for an assertive response from the U.S. to address these human rights abuses. Her response was swift and significant—she immediately connected PTI USA leaders with her RNC team and directed them to intensify engagement, a move PTI described as a direct and meaningful step forward.
Hosted Lara Trump, Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee and daughter-in-law of President Trump. Sajjad Burki, Dr. Usman Malik, Dr Saira Bilal, Dr Abbas and I had a 30-minute round table discussion with her. During the meeting, Lara Trump was thoroughly briefed on the… pic.twitter.com/hCikTfDL6S
— Atif Khan (@akhan4pakistan) October 31, 2024
Pakistani-American Mobilization in the U.S
The October 30th meeting marks a significant escalation in PTI’s strategy to rally American support. The groundwork for this meeting was laid last week by PTI USA’s Atif Khan, who organized a virtual meeting with prominent Pakistani-American physicians and RNC leadership. This mobilization effort, with deep roots in the Pakistani-American community, reflects the seriousness with which PTI is pursuing its cause. Pakistani-American physicians, whose contributions have been crucial in organizing such events, have shown staunch support for PTI’s mission to expose the democratic and human rights abuses in Pakistan on a global platform.
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At the meeting, the PTI team conveyed its gratitude to these Pakistani-American physicians, acknowledging the critical role their advocacy has played in facilitating high-level discussions like this. PTI’s message is clear: international recognition and intervention are essential to halting the continued erosion of democratic rights in Pakistan.
U.S. Presidential Elections
This engagement comes at a politically charged time, with the U.S. presidential elections on the horizon and Donald Trump emerging as the leading candidate. For many in the Pakistani-American community and PTI leadership, Trump’s potential return to office offers hope for a U.S. policy that could once again favorably engage Pakistan’s democratic aspirations. With Trump’s previous administration marked by a relatively balanced U.S.-Pakistan relationship, PTI’s outreach to the RNC and Lara Trump represents an appeal to American leaders who may influence a future administration sympathetic to their cause.
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The roundtable meeting with Lara Trump symbolizes PTI USA’s intent to firmly position Pakistan’s political and human rights struggles within the realm of American discourse, particularly within influential conservative circles. PTI’s advocates are pushing for recognition of Pakistan’s democratic crisis at the highest levels, seeking U.S. intervention to restore civil liberties and demand justice for Imran Khan.