NEW YORK, Oct 26: Pakistanis living in New York and other parts of the US are following the US presidential campaign with keen interest.

In the past Pakistani Americans traditionally threw their support behind the Republican nominee as the party was deemed to be friendlier to Pakistan than the Democratic Party.

But all that changed in the aftermath of occupation of Iraq.

President George Bush’s support for former President Pervez Musharraf in the face of the lawyers’ movement and silence over quashing of civil and democratic institutions resulted in Pakistanis shunning the Republican camp.

Nevertheless they still remain divided as to their support in the wake of positions taken by Presidential candidates on dealing with Pakistan.

In the presidential campaign Pakistan has become a major concern with Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, and John McCain, his Republican rival, clashing over the unilateral use of military force to attack inside the country if Osama bin Laden is found to be hiding there.

They jeered Mr Obama when during debates he expressed determination to order US forces to attack inside Pakistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden while the Republican John McCain called for more cautious approach towards America’s old ally. But of late the economic downturn has become the main concern for the community.

In interviews most American of Pakistan origin have been expressing apprehension about the impact the financial crisis would have on their daily lives.

“It’s the economy stupid”, the slogan coined by President Bill Clinton in 1992 when he beat George Bush senior in US elections, again resonates with the Pakistani community.

The community has been adversely affected following the 9/11 attacks in New York. In the borough of Brooklyn-the Coney Island Avenue area which had come to be known as “little Pakistan”, Pakistani population has shrunk as the attitudes of local residents changed against them.

Thousands of Pakistanis were deported from the area after registering with the US authorities as part of new “special registration” demands made on them following the attacks.

Up to 45,000 of an estimated 100,000-strong community were deported or left voluntarily following the attacks, according to reports.

“Immigration is a big issue for us in this area and we feel that Obama might be a bit more receptive than Mr McCain”, said one Pakistani shop keeper.

Besides now the financial down turn does impact the community and may be forced to leave the area.

On recent visit Pakistani community leaders say that the rising cost of food is a major issue for those living there and luxury goods, such as jeweller, are no longer in demand.

Many Pakistanis in New York are taxi drivers, --although Bangladeshis have replaced them -- their income is also being threatened as many people take to travelling across the city using other means of transport.

They cite drop in consumer spending as a major reason for the struggling community like rest of the Americans.

“The economy is really difficult and people are really distressed,” said one housewife shopping in the area.

“The bag of flour that used to cost eight dollars is now at $20.”

Economy as a vital issue resonates with the Pakistani community and it has become the number one issue of concern with all Americans.