Rep. Burton may have received Pakistani cash

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), the largest individual recipient of money from two alleged Pakistani agents, has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of the Pakistani claim to Kashmir in the years since the contributions.

The Eastern District of Virginia U.S. attorney's office today announced charges against two U.S. citizens, Syed Fai and Zaheer Ahmad, who are alleged to have used a U.S.-based advocacy group to funnel Pakistani money to U.S. political candidates, including President Barack Obama.

Burton has received at least $10,000 in contributions from Fai since 1990, while Ahmad has given at least $2,000. Both men may have also bundled contributions for the veteran Indiana lawmaker.

“Mr. Fai is accused of a decades-long scheme with one purpose – to hide Pakistan’s involvement behind his efforts to influence the U.S. government’s position on Kashmir,” said U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride in a statement. “His handlers in Pakistan allegedly funneled millions through the Kashmir Center to contribute to U.S. elected officials, fund high-profile conferences, and pay for other efforts that promoted the Kashmiri cause to decision-makers in Washington.”

Burton has been very active on the Kashmir issue. Shortly before receiving a donation from both Fai and Ahmad, Burton announced the formation of a Kashmir caucus in the U.S. Congress. He has traveled to Kashmir for events sponsored by Fai's Kashmir Center and has spoken in favor of resolve the standoff between Pakistan and India over the territory in Pakistan's favor.

"Since 1948, the people of Kashmir have been offered and promised a plebiscite and that's something that has not happened.... Here we are 61 years later, and we are still hoping that one day there will be peace and tranquillity in that beautiful part of the world that I want to visit," Burton said at an event in Islamabad in 2009, reported on by a Pakistani newspaper.

"The number of Indian troops that are still up there and keeping everything under wraps. They are patrolling the streets and there are still some horrible tragedies that are taking place. I heard of gang-raping of young women, I've heard of murders and tortures," he said.

Burton has also chided the Obama administration for failing to engage in the region.

"During the presidential campaign President Obama pledged to appoint a special envoy on the region and declared..that solving Kashmir crisis was one of his critical tasks. So far this has been a promise unfulfilled", Burton said in 2010.

Burton's office did not immediately respond to comment. Full legal complaint against Fai is here.

UPDATE: Burton, a long time ally of Pakistan, found himself in hot water in 1997 for the opposite reason, when an American lobbyist for Pakistan complained that the congressman had shaken him down for cash.