Ahsan Chughtai, initially celebrated for his role as Mayor Eric Adams’ Senior Advisor on South Asia and Muslim Affairs, was later fired and his home raided by the FBI. The mayor’s connections to the Pakistani community, including PTI-USA and PACONY, have raised concerns about potential corruption. Various individuals linked to these organizations have donated to the mayor’s campaigns. The mayor’s relationships with these groups parallel his connections with the Uzbek and Chinese communities, where similar controversies have arisen. Mayor Adams’ office declined to comment on Chughtai’s firing and redirected inquiries about his connections to his personal lawyer.
Ahsan Chughtai, a prominent figure in New York City’s Pakistani community, made headlines when he was appointed as Mayor Eric Adams’ Senior Advisor on South Asia and Muslim Affairs in March of 2022. However, his ties to influential members of the Pakistani business and political community ultimately led to his firing from the position last month amid a probe into corruption in the Adams administration.
Chughtai’s connections to individuals such as Mirza Khawar Baig, owner of United City Contracting Inc. and senior vice president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI-USA), raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The March 2022 celebration of Chughtai’s appointment as a senior advisor, attended by prominent community members, highlighted the close relationship between some Pakistani figures and the mayor’s office.
The mayor’s engagement with PTI-USA and PACONY, as evidenced by events like the Pakistan Day parade and flag-raising ceremony, further underscored the ties between the Adams administration and the Pakistani community. Atia Shahnaz, another key figure in the mayor’s office with links to PTI-USA, also came under scrutiny for her involvement.
The relationship between Mayor Adams and the Pakistani community mirrored similar connections with the Uzbek and Chinese communities, where individuals like Mohamed Bahi and Winnie Greco were also embroiled in controversies.
When questioned about Chughtai’s dismissal and the mayor’s links to PTI-USA and PACONY, city officials remained tight-lipped, citing personnel matters. The mayor’s personal lawyer, Alex Spiro, was referred to for further inquiries into the matter.
The unfolding events surrounding Chughtai, Bahi, and Shahnaz shed light on the complexities of political relationships and community ties in New York City, raising questions about transparency and accountability in local governance.
Source: TheCity.NYC
