CRCL continues to support the Department’s mission by implementing efforts to counter violent extremism both domestically and abroad. In support of these efforts, a CRCL policy advisor recently spent two weeks in Pakistan, where he met with civil society leaders, academics, politicians, artists, activists and businesspeople to discuss the strategies that DHS and the U.S. Government are using to combat intolerance and preserve civil rights and liberties. The goal of the trip was to encourage and educate Pakistanis about community participation, social activism, working with government, and ensuring that the protection of civil rights and liberties is an important part of a national discourse.

Through 48 meetings, discussions, and lectures in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, CRCL discussed DHS programs and procedures as well as U.S. passenger and immigration screening. As a Pakistan-born American with native-level fluency in the Urdu language, our policy advisor was able to connect well with his audiences. The visit received extensive media coverage, both on television and radio.

The trip was sponsored by the Department of State’s Community Engagement Office at Embassy Islamabad. Until recently, the Community Engagement Office in Islamabad was led by a policy advisor on detail from CRCL, who has since returned to the U.S. and his duties at CRCL.