The American Pakistan Foundation is a call to action for the Pakistani American community and friends of Pakistan in the US to make a significant impact on the social and economic development necessary for securing a stable and prosperous future for the Pakistani people.

At the July 2009 Conference on Diaspora for Development, The World Bank reported that diasporas of developing countries can be a potent force for development for their countries of origin through remittances and philanthropy, as well as through the promotion of trade, investments, knowledge and technology transfers.

According to an October 2009 statement by the State Bank of Pakistan, a surge in remittances from the Pakistani diaspora over the last few months is playing an important role in stabilizing the Pakistani economy. The current quarter’s inflow of remittances are estimated at $498.76 million from the US and a total of $9 Billion in remittances from all Pakistanis living abroad is expected for the current year and this number is expected to grow next year.

Based on a study of philanthropic giving by the Pakistani diaspora in the US (commissioned by the Pakistan Center for Philanthropy and funded by Rockefeller Foundation) published by Harvard University Press in 2007, the Pakistani-American community gives at a level that is above the national average:  estimated at $1 Billion annually, including money, goods and time.  This study further reported that a low donor trust in philanthropic institutions and nonprofits in Pakistan is a significant factor in giving practices that prioritize direct gifts to the needy rather than giving through institutions.

Based on these findings, the American Pakistan Foundation will be a focused effort on developing a secure and transparent channel to mobilize greater public and private resources from the Pakistani diaspora and friends of Pakistan in the U.S. to expand the most credible and effective programs dedicated to Pakistan’s social and economic development.

A national representation of the Pakistani-American community came together at a meeting in May 2009 in New York City at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The attendees of the meeting agreed that the Pakistani-American community has a vital role to play in the development of Pakistan by forming a not-for-profit development organization devoted to improving the social and economic condition of the people of Pakistan and to promoting greater understanding and trust between the two nations.

Led by the Pakistani-American community, the American Pakistan Foundation (APF) was incorporated on August 12, 2009 by a founding board that includes Dr. Nafis Sadik, Ambassador Shirin Tahir-Kheli and Ambassador Nicholas Platt (the Board of Directors will be developed progressively). The APF is currently also developing an Advisory Board, a Development Advisory Council and a Community Leadership Advisory Council to help guide the efforts of the organization.

Founded and led by Pakistani-Americans and the friends of Pakistan at a critical moment in Pakistan's history, the American Pakistan Foundation (APF) is dedicated to improving the social and economic condition of the people of Pakistan. APF’s mission is to expand development initiatives in education, public health, social entrepreneurship, poverty-alleviation, and culture, with a vision to advance mutual understanding between the peoples of the US and Pakistan. APF will serve as a secure and trusted channel that will complement and grow current philanthropic efforts in Pakistan with new sources of public and private support. 

APF is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the social and economic condition of the people of Pakistan.

1. Develop a secure and transparent channel for funding programs to improve donor trust through the establishment of an effective mechanism for improved evaluation, monitoring and reporting to meet international donor and foundation expectations.

2. Establish partnerships with the Pakistani civil society and development organizations and credible NGOs with existing programs to prioritize and meet the most urgent needs of the Pakistani people.

3. Complement existing Pakistani-American philanthropy by bringing more major foundation and corporate funding to facilitate expansion of existing efforts.

The American Pakistan Foundation will launch publicly on December 11, 2009 with an Inaugural Benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City featuring U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton as the keynote speaker and with Honorary Co-Chairs, Moeen Qureshi, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, and General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret), Former U.S. Secretary of State.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the American Pakistan Foundation.

To meet its goal, the APF is seeking the engagement and support of friends of Pakistan and the national Pakistani American community as volunteers, philanthropists and members of the business community. In the coming months, a national outreach campaign will begin to engage the community and seek their support. Events are being planned in cities around the country.