WASHINGTON DC (Diya TV) — For the fifth time, Republicans are boycotting Pakistani American Dilawar Syed’s nomination for the No. 2 spot at the Small Business Administration. That means for now, his chances are likely over. If they confirmed Syed, he would have become the highest-ranking Muslim official in the Biden administration.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken re-designated Pakistan as a country of particular concern for violating religious freedom and also rebranded the Taliban as an entity of particular concern. Each year the Secretary of State identifies governments and non-state actors, who, he believes, merit designation under the US International Religious Freedom Act.
U.S. is warning about travel to India, due to an increase in terrorism and crimes against women like sexual assaults, especially in places like Jammu and Kashmir.
Ravi Kapur contributed to this report.
