Lobbying in the US is not strictly an Israeli and Indian sport; in fact, it is a legal activity permissible to all. For example, Turkey hired lobbyists on Capitol Hill to prevent a resolution from classifying the atrocities committed in Armenia as genocide. Morocco spent around $3.5 billion on lobbying in Congress to ensure its plan for Western Sahara was accepted. The Kashmir American Council (KAC) was no exception; it is amongst the numerous organisations that promote the interests of foreign states.
According to the FBI report, the KAC had received up to $700,000 annually from Pakistan to make contributions to US politicians in order to influence US policy on Kashmir. Dr Fai operated overtly; he held seminars and his guests included political leaders, human rights groups, diplomats and journalists. His aim was to raise awareness about the plight of the Kashmiris and also to find a solution to the Kashmir issue. Nonetheless, these public events threatened US national security and Fai was arrested. From an American standpoint, aversion to Fai’s activities seems bizarre. He was only promoting the cause of self-determination for the Kashmiris and we should not forget that the right to self-determination has always been a strong tool of US foreign policy — even if it is used selectively.
In reality, the US has always steered clear of Kashmir, other than reiterating support for a bilateral settlement between India and Pakistan on the issue. When President Obama first took office in 2008, he had called for a comprehensive regional solution linking Kashmir to problems on the AfPak border. However, the Indian lobby proved successful in getting the nation excluded and, furthermore, prevailed in pressuring the US not to mention Kashmir. So Obama, like his predecessors, caved in and the Indians got their way. During his visit, Obama reached a $10 billion trade deal with India in hopes of creating 50,000 new jobs. America, the champion of human rights, can overlook the abuses by the Indian military in Kashmir, as long as India is willing to use American bullets along the disputed territory.
Pakistani efforts in Kashmir continue to be marred by suspicion. Indian lobbyists work overtime in DC, their military applies excessive force and their intelligence uses coercion to successfully maintain a stranglehold on the region. All of this is performed under the guise of Kashmir being an internal problem which should be resolved between the two neighbours. Fai violated this hypocritical principle by attempting to lobby for Kashmiris within the disputed territory who are subject to gross human rights violations on a daily basis. Nonetheless, we can all rest easy now since Fai has been arrested and justice has been served.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2011.
COMMENTS (59)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1715142871-0/imfsalary-(1)1715142871-0-270x192.webp)
My comments are being moderated so that they are not seen. There were no abusive words or insults. I suppose this too should be built into the maniac arguments that are being given agsinst a legitimate demand for plebiscite. These people who think no one asked Hindus and Muslims, do not even know what partition was about; why do think it happened in the first place and who did the Congress and the Muslim League represent?As for mr cynical, plebiscite anyway you want it buddy; it appears you hve been avictim of your own propaganda, this has been Pakistan's demand, have it in entire Kashmir areas and yes, lets both with draw our armies. Agreed?
@Taurus: Did the hindus/sikhs/ Muslims of undivided India given a right for plebicite? No. Then why should Kashmiris have that right? You cannot address Kashmir issue without addressing partition itself. Period. Anyway there are no kashmiris left in POK. Its demography has changed. Now only Punjabis live there. How can you have plebicite?
@Taurus
The plebisite (as per the UN resolution) applies to the whole of Kashmir (including AZK and Gilgit Baltistan) and it also requires withdrawal of Military presence from the entire state.
Why all the rhetoric, seems hindis are on heat again. Have a plebiscite, it will solve all things. What a noise????
@Amjad: "So the key is indeed hosting the long overdue referendum as the world wants. Let’s face it, India cannot hold back a people indefinitely." "As the world wants?" It should have been enough to ride roughshod over India if the "whole" world wanted anything. Add to that the very considerable weight of Pakistan. Yet, India is still standing. Not even the "crushing" weight of a few thousand, or hundred thousand Amjads of Kashmir added to that mix seems to unnerve India. Why is that? We are not holding anyone back, my friend. Get on your high horse and giddy up to Kashmir!
I think that the real purpose of this article has been achieved brilliantly i.e. to demonstrate the obsession of Indians with Pakistan’s rightful claim over Indian occupied Kashmir. This Indian fixation is evident from the frenzied and manic response that any mention of the topic elicits.
"Thus Fai’s crime was that he did not file the correct paperwork declaring that he was working with a foreign government. "
Pakistani commentators need to raise their ethics to internationally acceptable standards.
HAI FAI, HAI HAI, WI-FI.
Mussarat
@Observer: The way you'll find out how many Kashmiris would join Pakistan is by hosting the Un mandated referendum. Problems or not, you forget that the majority of Kashmiris, my family included do not consider ourselves Indian but part of the greater Pakistani community. So the key is indeed hosting the long overdue referendum as the world wants. Let's face it, India cannot hold back a people indefinitely.
There are a number of factual inaccuracies in this article.
Morocco spent about $3.5 million on lobbying Congress for Western Sahara, not 3.5 billion as the author states. (Please see - http://www.propublica.org/article/opening-the-window-on-foreign-lobbying-718).
The author leaves out critical facts when making her arguments:
USINPAC is funded entirely by Indian-Americans who are US citizens. AIPAC is funded entirely by Jewish Americans who are also US citizens.On the other hand Fai, while being a US citizen, accepted funding for the KAC from the ISI. Fai tampered with records to show that the ISI's funding for KAC came from US citizens in order to hide the real source. He was warned by the FBI a year before his conviction but persisted with the tampering. Fai was convicted of falsifying records and not revealing the true source of funds. To leave out these critical facts to argue bias by the US is unethical.
Madam, the fact of the matter is that India is an asset to US but Pakistan a liability, who is chewing not only the hand but whole arm that feeds it.
@Ivan: You are right a billion Dollars will be the highest number in a political campaign ever spent that the Democratic Party and the Obama reelection committee will spend in the hopes of getting Obama reelected. 3.5 Billion is an outrageous amount for a country like Morroco to spend when the total GDP of the country is 91 Billion Dollars. to inject that kind of money into the political process without causing an uproar is not possible.
M/s khan this is a classic example of Master Slave relationship. Pakistan has lost it's utility for US and so they are being treated like this, and if the trend persists many more such lobbyists will find themselves behind the bar
The author does not do justice to her conflict resolution education .Where is the recommendation if the conclusion is "we can all rest now " in a passive suppression as the best approach . The three basic rules in conflict resolutions are 1) learn the facts 2) State the facts 3) Dont deviate from the facts proposing a solution for the conflict.. I see this write up fails in all 3 counts .
Pakistan, rather than indulging in dirty games better get their house in order. Why run for Kashmir when the rest of Pakistan is suffering. Fai's issue is too small to look into. Lift yourselves first and then eye the others.
What you all are weeping like little kids. If you are so desperate for Kashmir then take it. You have already had several failed attempts, why not one more time? Learn something from India. India is rising and Pakistan is collapsing. I am an Indian and I am willing to support you for your kashmir cause but you should have some principles at least. On one side you want to save muslims and you are killing them on the other side in Balochistan. Why dont you also talk about saving muslims in China, Xinjiang province. Woh sab Allah ke bande nahin hain kya? You should have some principals and then stick to them. Only then you will gain respect in the world.
the lesson's quite clear - instead of ranting and raving Pakistan must set its house in order and focus on its economy if it wants to have any influence on the west.
Why do something which is illegal?
Kashmir problem is the result of all illegal actions by Pakistan and its agents from 1947 till now. Pakistan should vacate the illegally occupied portion of the state along with what has been illegally handed over to China, and leave Kashmiris alone. That will remove the source of all trouble.
Why can't India & Pakistan become friends to the core? Then there will be no need to hire a lobbyist anywhere in the world. Let us develop our respective countries which include some deprived areas of Kashmir and Baluchistan, and move ahead. Lest us drop the idea of maligning each other on international fora and stop making us a laughing stock. India will not lose Kashmir any further and Pakistan may not like to give up claim on what it has possessed so far. The author of this article, who looks quite energetic in her thoughts, fights an already lost case when she tries to justify the deeds of a double agent. Pakistan has to create friendship in the world once again. I assure the author that India would be the best amongst all of them.
I do understad if Dr. Fai was financed / backed by Pakistani govt. or Kashmiri interest groups but this was backed by a foreign spy agency of dubious repute. Fishy for sure.
@Bigboy.
Exactly.
In fact, India need not worry, ever, for another very good reason. The truth is on our side and Satyameva Jayate.
Arresting Fai was simply US retribution for Pakistan arresting the murderer Raymond Davis. Very similar for the tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats that India and Pakistan do on occasion. Except in this case, Fai is an old man working for justice for oppressed Kashmiris, while Raymond David is a cold blooded murderer.
ISI should seek the expert guidance of Pervez Musharraf in recruiting lobbyist. How did the former dictator end up with a fortune? All his past dealing must be investigated and efforts must be made to freeze his foreign bank accounts.
Reading the comments and the article, it is very obvious that there are lots of holes in the article which are picked by many. "Let whatever be the truth and opinion, I will whinge about India and cry as a victim" seems to be the policy of this author, I am not sure what is Pak's objectives, welfare of Kashmiris or hurt India, Seems to be the latter and are not a good job in that.
Sabina-The same applies to Pakistan-even more for its systematic elimination of minorities and also shias. So, any wonder why Pakistan is such a joke in international forums. I have been many meetings of Arabs including OIC. Forget about Pakistan, entire middle east including North Africa do not have credibility that is equal to India. The reason-India is the shining beacon of secularism and democracy from the edges of Morocco to Phillipines, unmatched in Diversity and Strength. Despite China having ten times more economic strength, it is India that is respected for the same reasons. Pakistan leaders need to teach its own citizens that real story of India-not the islamic version. If you still think that Kashmir story is heard-good luck.
Dr Fai was an ISI agent which he has admitted in court and has given the details of code words through which he was corresponding with dreaded Security directorate of ISI, A Foreign Spy agent is security risk for USA and US government need to take exemplary punishment to stop any such activity.Pakistani Embassy at Washington has feigned any knowledge of Dr Fai's activity as he was directly dealing with ISI,which as a part of Pak Military is not answerable to Pak's Political Leadership.This is no way similar to the USINPAC and AIPAC.Dr Fai was showing his income through Dr Ahmad,who was acing as mediator between him and ISI and he recently died in Pakistan-I hope he was not murdered by ISI.
@stenson:
"....the fact remains that there is a UN mandated resolution calling on India to let the people of Kashmir vote for their own freedom."
Wrong! The non-binding UN resolution calls for Kashmiris choosing either India or Pakistan and not independence.
You should pray and hope that India suddenly doesn't agree to hold a plebiscite as per the UN mandate. As a first step, this would mean that Pakistani army vacate from all areas it controls including northern areas/gilgit/Baltistan. It would also be required to get back the territory ceded to China.
Let's be honest here. How many Kashmiris other than the fundamentalist Jihadis and those paid and controlled by the ISI would really want to be part of today's Pakistan?
Fai or no Fai, we all know that most Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir will continue to struggle for their freedom from India. Despite this witch hunt against Fai, the fact remains that there is a UN mandated resolution calling on India to let the people of Kashmir vote for their own freedom.
"Thus Fai’s crime was that he did not file the correct paperwork declaring that he was working with a foreign government. " That and the fact that he communicated with his ISI masters in code. Money was transferred through "straw" donors. Now , if one is not thieving, why move in shadows? The man is GUILTY and he admitted to the guilt! That is enough!
Sabina Khan seems to miss a very important point. The difference between the Indian/Jewish group compared to Fai's activities is that Fai was directly working for the ISI, was funded and directed by the ISI. The US law requires that the lobbyists declare it if they are in any way affiliated with a foreign organization. It is a fine point that is very clear and in black and white. Fai knowingly and deliberately hid his foreign affiliations, which is clear violation of US laws. Further, his other fellow ISI agents in the US "laundered" ISI money to deliberately hide the source, an illegal act as per lobbying laws and tax laws.
Zee:
As a potential victim, I will pick corrupt, greedy kuffar rulers over Islamic warrior saviours. Thank you for your concern.
@Miss Sabina Khan, Sixty billions $ worth od Economic damages, Fourty Billions $ worth of Road damages., and 12 Billions $ worth of Ghariath is worth it for so called supreme Ally in war on Terror. the rest up to u guys...
As long as there are political lobbyists like Dr.Fai and writers like this author, India doesn't have to worry.
You are not against the idea of lobbying as Fai is also a lobbyist. But you resent the fact that USINPAC outdid KAC. And you want Fai released because AIPAC could also be getting money from Israel, although it hasn’t been proved. Your article makes no sense
This article is better suited for "The Nation" rather than ET. I think your editorial staff dropped the ball once more after Saleem Ali's article for which you apologized.
"America, the champion of human rights, can overlook the abuses by the Indian military in Kashmir, as long as India is willing to use American bullets along the disputed territory."
Are you serious? This is an absurd propaganda fueled statement worthy of ISI minions. Can the author please specify why Pakistan talks about "Kashmiri human rights" when in fact there is an Islamist movement within the Kashmir valley fueled by Pakistan's military which doesn't give a damn about human rights? Kashmiris don't depend on Pakistan and can do quite well without it. Pakistan needs to stop meddling in foreign territories under the premise that Pakistan is indispensable and that Pakistan has a "human right" to take over other territories.
You are a native of South Waziristan - were these the same people that "liberated" a part of Kashmir which you call "Azad" by raping and pillaging all unarmed Pandits from their homes? What a brave and proud people you must be. With so much worth to humanity that you have a drone bombing the daylights out of you on a regular basis without any official protest by any country, including your own. I wonder why?
Milestogo:
Just don't weep for Balochsitan while ignoring what are being done in Kashmir, Northeast, Assam and toward Maoists. It is not just Kashmir, the whole Northeast has become victims of abuses too:http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/resources/armed_forces.htm
Obama compaign for president in 2008 told american that he gonna change this lobby system and getting money from overseas he failed to do that then he says he gonna bring fforces back home he failed then he gave or allowed around eight trillions dollers from fed reseved to 190 banks to saved the banking system and then he said he will make palestine a visible state he failed he also said for solving kashmir problem but?????????
On a related note - http://tribune.com.pk/story/304909/balochistan-the-province-where-human-rights-are-bullet-riddled/
Nice article - keep it up!
Erm... is the author unable to distinguish between registered ORGANIZATIONS with declared agendas and individuals working under the radar in ways illegal in the country? With this logic, the good American who put US-Pak relations in a tailspin simply hadn't filed the paperwork to operate in Pakistan, no?
But why blame US for duplicity or double standards.
All hell broke loose when NATO killed 26 soldiers but no eye brows raised when Talibans killed 10 rangers the very next day. We claim US to be the biggest enemy and yet want to be able to lobby within US?
Why does it always have to be a compare and feel that India does the same , but Pak gets caught !!! And then feel sorry. If you want to Lobby, do it. But do it the legal way. Don't complain. The rules are the same for everyone, so play within it.
Is it that the ISI wants deniability ? Or not disclose that they paid so much money ?
If you calculate the cost of the Kashmir projects for Pakistan and use it wisely, I am sure no one will need to go hungry in Pakistan. But who cares.
“Nonetheless, these public events threatened US national security and Fai was arrested. “ Either author is oblivious to American system of freedom of expression and misleading the public or she misspoke. Regardless author should come clean on this. Also, lobbying is not a crime and is a legitimate business all over the world. Since Mr. Fai pleaded guilty it is obvious that things were not kosher. So please stop justifying and glorifying a criminal activity and second guess American justice system. Another feather in the Pakistan's cap.
"Nonetheless, we can all rest easy now since Fai has been arrested and justice has been served."
Agree 100% on this part.
Now, write something about Baluchistan too - after all you have a degree in conflict resolution.
@Author: "ai violated this hypocritical principle by attempting to lobby for Kashmiris"
Yes Fai WAS hypocritical. But not for the reason you mentioned. He was a well compensated ISI agent and not the Kashmiri freedom fighter he claimed to be.
Not a trace of irony that it was Pakistan that sent in terrorists to create the hellish environments in Kashmir. When Indians argue that they are working to root out the terror in J&K who can disbelieve them.
@Author: "Thus Fai’s crime was that he did not file the correct paperwork declaring that he was working with a foreign government. The US Indian Political Action Committee (USINPAC) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) are not, however, held to the same standards."
Wrong miss. They are held to the exact same standards. What determines whether and individual is linked to Indian or Israeli or Pakistani GOVERNMENT (as distinct from being a politically active member of its diaspora) is the funding. - Does the Indian government fundUSINPAC? No. - Does the Israeli government fund? AIPAC? No. - Did the Pakistani government fund Fai? Yes.
So the issue is not about holding people to different standards. Everyone is held to the same standards. Tomorrow if an issue is funded by Pakistani diasporae.g. APPNA based in US, there will be no expectation that it be refistered undered FARA.
Stop the victim mentality.
Author says : "Dr Fai operated overtly; he held seminars and his guests included political leaders, human rights groups, diplomats and journalists."
She is deliberately misleading the readers by linking the word overt to the events conducted by Fai. Of course they had to be well publicized since the goal was to influence Americans.What was not overt was his status. He DID NOT register as a Pakistani agent and thus deliberately deceived the Congressmen that he was interacting with. They would have evaluated information he provided differently had they known it came from Pakistan which is a party to the dispute than incorrectly believing that he represented the views of the people from Kashmir valley - which he clearly did not.
"Morocco spent around $3.5 billion on lobbying in Congress to ensure its plan for Western Sahara was accepted." $3.5 billion? May be you should hire a fact checker..
It is not just unfair and unethical for Dr. Fai to represent Pakistan while pleading the Kashmir cause, but hypocritical to American about his independence.The current mayhem,insurgency, and turmoil in Kashmir may have been the result of Fai's approach of wresting Kashmir to annex with Pakistan.The majority of Kashmir do not want to join Pakistan.Unfortunately, he is a paid agent of Pakistan's ISI betraying Kashmiris.
"These public events threatened national security"? Really? How so? They are so many Kashmiri groups that hold sit ins, seminars, protests across America, so because he broke US law, and was arrested, the only explanation must be because he threatened US national security? American bullets used by India? Really? Since when is India using American weapons? All that has come of this is that 3.5 millions dollars of Pakistani tax payers money has gone down the toilet, and the unaccountable ISI and Mr Fai couldnt look up the relevant laws in the country where they were lobbying.
By not following the law, they have done more damage to the Kashmiri cause because no American politician is going to take a public stance when the word spreads that they are being lobbied by an organizations whose financing is not declared! Yes, there may be other examples of states, organziations and companies who influence US politicans under dubious fashion, but two wrongs dont make a right, and rather than finding more excuses to explain away our own incompetence, we should look into why we have to operate in such a dubious fashion to begin with.