📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor
Politics
US Health Official Abdul El‑Sayed Says His Wife Is From Karnataka, Criticises Pakistan’s Democratic Backslide
✍️ News18
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 11:48 AM
👁 16
Abdul El‑Said, former US health official, disclosed that his wife hails from Karnataka and warned that democracy is being denied in Pakistan.
Abdul El‑Sayed, a former assistant secretary for health in the United States, appeared on a News18 interview to discuss his personal background. He confirmed that his spouse is of Indian origin, specifically from the southern state of Karnataka, and described her as "desi" in a light‑hearted remark.
El‑Sayed explained that his wife grew up in Karnataka before moving abroad, and that their cross‑cultural marriage has given him a deeper appreciation for Indian traditions and cuisine. He said the connection has also helped him stay informed about developments in South Asia.
Turning to regional politics, El‑Sayed criticised the current political climate in Pakistan, stating that democratic processes there are being undermined. He cited recent restrictions on media and opposition figures as evidence that the country is moving away from democratic norms.
The remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny of Pakistan’s governance, with international observers noting a decline in civil liberties. El‑Sayed’s comments, while personal, add a notable voice from a former US official to the ongoing discourse on South Asian democracy.
El‑Sayed explained that his wife grew up in Karnataka before moving abroad, and that their cross‑cultural marriage has given him a deeper appreciation for Indian traditions and cuisine. He said the connection has also helped him stay informed about developments in South Asia.
Turning to regional politics, El‑Sayed criticised the current political climate in Pakistan, stating that democratic processes there are being undermined. He cited recent restrictions on media and opposition figures as evidence that the country is moving away from democratic norms.
The remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny of Pakistan’s governance, with international observers noting a decline in civil liberties. El‑Sayed’s comments, while personal, add a notable voice from a former US official to the ongoing discourse on South Asian democracy.