WASHINGTON, Aug 20: A Pakistani, Mohammed Arif, is running for the governor’s post in California, his campaign manager said on Wednesday.

“This is the first time in history that a Pakistani American is running for any such office in the United States,” said campaign manager Aamir Raees.

He appealed to Pakistanis to be “more involved in the political process in America.”

Referring to the difficulties Pakistani and other Muslim Americans faced since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he said that unless Pakistani-Americans joined the mainstream politics, they would never have a say in the country.

He said Pakistanis and other Muslim Americans could only have an effective voice if they had elected representatives at all levels.

Mr Arif was certified as a nonpartisan candidate by California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley on Aug 14 for the Oct 7 election.