Dr Asif Mahmood elected Vice Chairman of US Commission

Washington: The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has elected a Pakistani-American as its Vice Chairman for the first time in its history.

Dr Asif Mahmood hails from Kharian, while the chairmanship of the commission has been entrusted to former Congresswoman Vicki Hertzler.

Speaking to the media after becoming the Vice Chairman, Dr Asif said that it is a matter of great honor for him to be the first Pakistani, the first South Asian, and the first Muslim to be elected to this position in the powerful commission.

Dr Mahmood stated that working for freedom of religion or belief is as important today as ever, and it requires serving beyond political parties. Since both parties are represented in the USCIRF, this commission has a central position in this regard.

According to Dr Asif Mahmood, he will try to advocate for such a policy and formulate recommendations to the US government so that people can live freely according to their conscience.

Vice Chairman Dr Asif has been serving as a pulmonologist in California for about 25 years. He is also actively involved in charity work. He is also a board member of Hope the Mission, one of the largest homeless shelters in California.

American Pakistani Dr Mahmood is also a champion of human rights, and he has also raised his voice on the situation in South Asia, especially Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.

He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from 2008 to 2016 and has also played many important roles in the presidential election campaign. He is also considered very close to former President Kamala Harris and the Clinton family.

In 2022, Dr Asif Mahmood contested the Congressional election from California's 40th District, but he did not win against Republican candidate Young Kim, who was in the race to regain his seat.

The members of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom are selected by the US President and the leadership of both major parties in the Senate and the House. The Commission’s Chairperson, Hertzler, was nominated by Speaker Mike Johnson, and D. Asif Mahmood was nominated by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffrey.

Chairperson Hertzler said that it is an honor for her to be elected to this position. She will work with Vice Chairman Dr Mahmood and other commissioners to take steps for the rights of every person in the world.

Hertzler stated that the USCIRF is an important pillar of US foreign policy to promote religious freedom. Religious freedom is a part of the US Constitution and international law, and more than that, it is present in the hearts of every person.

As far as this commission is concerned, it monitors religious and human rights freedom in different countries of the world, and the reports it prepares have the status of eyes and ears for the US government and Congress.

The report of this commission against India recently made headlines, in the preparation of which Dr Asif Mahmood played a very active role. Based on the recommendations issued for 2025, the report called for strict action by the Modi government against religious restrictions in India.

The report recommended that the Trump administration impose sanctions on Vikash Yadav and the intelligence agency RAW, who were involved in the conspiracy to assassinate Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in the United States, freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the United States.

It also urged that the sale of MQ-9B drones to India be reconsidered. The report bluntly stated that despite the secular nature of India’s constitution, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted hate-based policies in its 10-year rule that would turn India into a Hindu state.

These recommendations were made despite the fact that India is considered the apple of the eye not only of the Democrats but also of the Republican administration in the region.

With Dr Asif's election as Vice Chairman, the US Commission's actions against India will likely accelerate further, as he is arguably more known for his impartiality than for being a Pakistani American Democrat.