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2 Indicted in Alleged Pakistan Lobbying Scheme

HeadlineJul 20, 2011

The FBI is claiming Pakistan’s ISI spy agency has spent the last two decades secretly funneling millions of dollars into United States election campaigns and political offices to influence U.S. foreign policy. The allegations were part of a 43-page affidavit filed in connection with the indictment of two U.S. citizens. The suspects are Zaheer Ahmad, who is in Pakistan, and Syed Fai, who lives in Virginia. Fai directs the Kashmiri American Council, a group that promotes self-determination for Kashmir through lobbying and fundraising events. The FBI says the group was largely financed by the ISI and donated as much as $100,000 annually to U.S. political campaigns. U.S. authorities say the bulk of the organization’s costs were covered by straw contributors who were subsequently reimbursed by the ISI. The organization’s goal was allegedly to influence the U.S. government to push India to allow Kashmir to vote for independence.

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