Washington DC: June 26, 2012. (PCP) As anglo-American long time interested in Pakistan community issues who had pleasure to attend this year's Pakistan American Congress events, I was approached by PCP editor to give perspective, and especially regarding comments I made to US State Dept representative Ms. Robin Raphel. First, congratulations must go to Dr Khalid Luqman and all PAC board members and attendees on achieving this 20th Day on the Hill anniversary. It is indeed major achievement to arrange such a successful event bringing ex-pats and supporters from around the country (California, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, and more) to rally for the common cause to regain good relationship between their country of origin and now chosen country of heart and home. My only disappointment stems from the lack of coverage as it seems the media hype on Pakistan issues never follows such a positive, grass-roots event, and especially when such event clearly shows the understanding and democratic process in action by ex-pats who themselves openly admit were raised in a country steeped in corruption, especially in the political realm. Now regarding my specific comments: These were made in response to a PAC member’s question raised to US State Dept representative Ms. Robin Raphel about US funds being used for projects that rarely reach the average Pakistani, or effect change for lives of the poorest. A larger question was then posed to send funds targeted specifically to create "American style" universities. My shock at hearing this, in a room where majority were dressed to the nines, while I, the "born-here" American sat in plain Punjabi cotton dress, caused me to consider perhaps most of these who proudly stated how America had allowed them to achieve professional status such as businessmen, doctors, lawyers, professors, engineers, etc were not aware of the history of most universities in USA, even though some had more than likely attended Harvard, Princeton, Vanderbilt, etc or were even currently professors there (perhaps as Fulbright scholars as many Congress reps who came that day noted Pakistan has for years been the largest recipient of these scholarships). So I raised my hand, first time ever at a PAC event, to advise the reason all the colleges and universities are named such is exactly because men who had achieved success in America and saw the need for wider uplift of community thru access to higher education put their OWN money from pennies to large fortunes on the line, and formed personal consortiums and trustee funds with friends to create places like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Vanderbilt, and Univ of Penn etc. And after explaining I requested attendees with successful careers do the same to build universities overseas where the dollar goes much further, instead of asking or expecting larger funds from America. In fact, I brought up how more and more Americans I know are becoming incensed as they hear and see how the academic system has changed from its start leaning on personal donations to slowly since the Morrill land-grants (that did not include any component to fund research) being turned into a "cash cow" where there is now an expectation by academics to have more and more tax-payer money fund all types of outlandish and even anti-American research projects and scholarships that definitely do not support the original purpose for the university creation. Indeed, majority of the above universities were founded solely to train Christian clergy to propagate the gospel of salvation and eternal life found through faith in Jesus Christ alone throughout the new colony. But sadly, most have left those roots to pursue other "kingdom building" efforts. And some even now discriminate against Christian students and clubs on their own campus practicing or sharing their faith in Jesus. How sad! But at the same time, I did agree with the point that many Americans question if USAID funds really are reaching the average Pakistani or effecting lives most in need. To agree with this, because Ms. Raphel had at end of her speech noted how she would be happy to hear personal stories, I posed example of my long-time friend Mr. Shamim Mehmood Masih, husband to Najma and father of four who has been diligently hunting for quality full-time job ever since working his way through Punjab system to achieve an MBA. Most of his jobs have been part-time, temporary consulting positions and since last 6 months he has found it impossible to secure even these, although he is willing and has worked variety of service level jobs. It was hard to be calm trying to explain how unacceptable and inappropriate I found it when Mr Masih advised me he had been approached by a USAID project leader to volunteer his assistance! How could it be anyone representing the US could insult a national with education and experience (who I can sincerely vouch has during the various tragedies in Pakistan past few years personally organized fundraisers and lead assistance efforts) but now finds himself in need of assistance but preferring a job, not interview and test him to offer a paying job; but be bold enough to ask him only to volunteer, which would mean he would have little time to continue the more necessary job search? Does the US prefer nationals should be held captive begging for assistance, or are we not there to uplift the people and build good relationships as average Americans are being told by State Dept reps? How arrogant to believe a US worker who probably has same schooling but little practical experience in any country they are sent to, would know more than a national where and how the project and related money could be used most effective. Yes, I believe the US has right to direct operations when our tax money is involved. But this situation is similar to what I have heard from friends in many nations where nationals are rarely hired for quality jobs or even asked for input, but only used as volunteer resource or service level such as cooks, drivers and laborers by USAID as well as UN projects. Some from PAC did question the appropriateness of my raising a “personal issue”, but I think it is well within American tax-payer interest to wonder who the jobs our money is funding go to. Are State Dept and USAID project leaders interviewing and hiring based on merit or are they bowing to what Pakistani's themselves often bring up as corrupt "hiring" policies being forced by feudal lords or ruling parties to give job to highest bidder or favored family member or friends? American tax-payers have the right to know. But then I thought it perhaps more appropriate to raise the question if perhaps the issue was not in fact much different and larger. Yes, no one can never know full facts of why someone is not considered the right fit for any job. And of course, all over the world jobs are becoming harder for anyone to find due to economic downturn. But in Pakistan and many other Islamic-based countries, I have been told often the issue is purely one of discrimination based on religion. This was recently backed up by Fr. McCullouch after President Zadari bestowed on him highest civilian honor, Sitara-e-Quaid-Azam Award, and during a related interview the Father noted primary issue for Christians in Pakistan is discrimination, not persecution (although he admitted persecution by extremists exists as well). Consider my friends statement to me when I travelled there in 2006 and he arranged a meeting with members from People to People chapter, as we both belonged to that group that works to create "peace through understanding and friendship through educational, cultural and humanitarian activities". When we reached the P2P office I asked Shamim why he had gone to such expense renting a space and couldn't we have just met in his home. My eyes opened wide hearing his response "Jean, majority of members are Muslim and so would never come to my house as I am Christian and have the cross and pictures of Jesus hanging.". This is not to say that I was not greeted cordially and had good conversations with members. I enjoyed hearing of the efforts both Muslim and Christians in the chapter worked on together. Yet, one can only think how few belonged to this chapter and if these few are "open minded" that will meet with Christians but still have barriers, what does that say about the larger population without open minds who are the majority and therefore run most businesses and do the hiring? In fact, the other example of his job hunt hits this point clearly. When he interviewed for a job with a Dubai bank, in fact a former team member from a job in Pakistan did the interview. But when Shamim was called back, his friend had only rejection to offer him stating "I know you have the knowledge and proven experience, but my hands are tied as I was told this is an Islamic-based bank so does not hire Christians". Of course, never would this be put in writing or said in public. But one can only think same would be policy of Islamic-based banks in Pakistan, and sadly also multi-national companies even if originally incorporated and headquartered in the USA. (And don’t get me started about how impossible it is for minorities to obtain visa for travel or study, much less if offered quality job outside Pakistan). So even though minorities, if they find funds usually thru sacrifice of extended family and villages and are allowed to attend universities by filling spaces mostly from quotas, not open enrollment, and doing so learn the same Islamic principles by which systems are run in Pakistan, it seems they are still not considered viable for jobs simply due to religion. I say this speaking for all minorities, not just Christians, but Sikh, Hindu, Ahmadi, any not considered Muslim in Pakistan. My biggest thought now as to why my friend with MBA can not find quality full-time job is simple religious discrimination. If cause is not discrimination, I ask Muslims of Pakistan to prove me wrong by interviewing and hiring Mr. Masih for full-time job at Islamic-based bank or other business suited to his MBA and experience. Of course, at same time I also charge Christian business owners, NGO directors and church leaders to reach out with assistance for his job search. (Anyone reading with true interest to interview Mr. Shamim Masih can contact me to have information forwarded via peacefullifeis@yahoo.com). Anyone who knows the history of Pakistan also knows majority of leaders over past few centuries were educated in Christian institutions, primarily supported by Americans, Brits and Germans. And still today majority of students at Forman Christian College and majority receiving scholarships there are Muslim. So Christians have not discriminated but surely have given much to Muslims in the country. As Christians of Pakistan wait and trust in hope of the Lord through all this, I offer selection for meditation for those of all faiths from the Holy Word God gave to David as Psalm 18 (v18-28) to coincide with June 18th day PAC event was held: "They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me. The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God. All His laws are before me; I have not turned away from His decrees. I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin. The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. To the faithful You show yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless, to the pure You show Yourself pure. But to the crooked You show Yourself astute. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light". Indeed, I am sure I was in presence of many enlightened and progressive Muslims at PAC event who consider themself blameless of this religious discrimination situation and want to see change come to truly make Pakistan the land of the pure. But tell me what is solution when even those who come to DC lobbying for democratic processes in Pakistan do not offer to make connections for a well-educated Christian they hear about struggling in Pakistan? Do PAC members want aid for only (poor) Muslims, or do they agree funds need to be equally shared with minority communities? And indeed as is history of USA, perhaps that even "affirmative action" (that may have been used by some PAC members or family to obtain higher education or jobs in USA) is needed to educate and employ minorities in Pakistan? I ask if even the USAID workers who are there representing American principles of liberty and justice for ALL are not willing to hire the few from minority communities who do somehow find opportunity to achieve higher education, what really is the option for them? US workers can surely direct projects and oversee the money to ensure no corruption, but democracy is built by letting people experience it first-hand. So especially in countries where such as nepotism and discrimination is the name of the game, shouldn’t the US example democracy by hiring fairly based on interviews and proven ability, and, if necessary, also use “affirmative action” to uplift minorities who would rarely have a chance for such a quality job? In keeping with the spirit of democratic voice, I beg Ms. Raphel, PAC leaders, parliment reps who attended, and all PCP readers to answer when true justice will prevail and minorities in Pakistan will not face constant struggle to simply make a living, much less rise the social ladder, in the country where they were born and so also love. No justice, no peace was once a rallying cry of civil rights in America. I present the same holds for Pakistan - a land whose greatest need to prosper is peace. As PAC association poses, the people of Pakistan and America need to come together to example and create true, democratic systems where ALL living in Pakistan will do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God and show this by living and working in peace with all other citizens regardless of social status, ethnicity, or creed. Salam, Khuda Hafiz Jeanne Swartz (average American hoping to give voice to the voiceless minority in Pakistan) Wilmington, DE