SAN FRANCISCO: Keith Ellison, the first Muslim in the United States Congress, says that Pakistan is an important country and what happens there has its impact here. He was the chief guest at the fund raiser dinner of a Pakistani American charity, Human Development Foundation (HDF).

More than 500 people attended the HDF Silicon Valley benefit dinner at Wyndam Hotel in San Jose that raised about $150,000. A cricket bat signed by Imran Khan fetched $2,100.

Mr Ellison applauded the projects of the foundation for economic and social uplift of the poor masses in Pakistan.

He urged the Pakistani Americans to fully participate in the political process in the country to make their voices heard.