FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 

The Pakistani American Association of Connecticut (PAACT) in collaboration with the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) is arranging a Press Conference at the State Capitol Building, Hartford room number 310 on Tuesday the 13th of March, 2007 at 2 PM. This conference will deal with some important announcements regarding the case of Mr. Javed Akhtar. Mr. Akhtar, age 32, of Enfield CT. was shot in the neck while working in a store in Broad Brook on February 28th, 2007.  He had significant blood loss and had to be emergently operated upon and after a courageous battle with his injuries passed away on March 10th, 2007 at Hartford Hospital Intensive Care Unit.

Nothing was stolen from the store, and Mr. Akhtar was shot from a very close range. The current investigation suggests that this might be a robbery attempt, however the possibility of this being a hate or bias crime is not ruled out at this time. This possibility is also being pursued by the East Windsor Police Department. The Community organizations will be making announcements about the crime along with important community actions regarding the situation surrounding this incident.

The speakers at the Press Conference are:
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal
William Tong: State Representative: District 147
Ashraf Akhter: Brother of Mr. Javed Akhtar
M. Saud Anwar: President Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee CT Chapter (PAKPAC)
David Waren: Executive Director: Anti Defamation League
Deacon Arthur Miller: Archdiocese of Hartford, Office of Black Catholic Ministries
Zaheer Sharaf: Vice President: Pakistani American Association of Connecticut (PAACT)
Angela Rola: Chairperson, Asian Pacific American Coalition
Attorney Asker Saeed: President South Asian Bar Association of CT
Office Representative of Congressman Joe Courtney
Office Representative of Congressman John Larson
 

Press Conference
Tuesday, March 13th, 2007
2 PM EST
State Capitol Building
Room 310