Pakistani Imaad Zuberi

American-Pakistani Imaad Zuberi. — X@zuberiii

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump pardoned two Thanksgiving turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, during his second term. Alongside them, he granted clemency to 83 individuals, including American-Pakistani businessman Imaad Shah Zuberi, who appears twice on the list.

Pardons and Commutations

Zuberi first received a pardon on May 28, 2025. The US Department of Justice states that on February 18, 2021, he was sentenced to 144 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $1,750,000 fine, and $15,705,080.11 in restitution.

His offenses included violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering. On October 1, 2025, his commutation was amended. Sources in Washington, DC, say Zuberi has been planning international trips since then.

Who Is Imaad Zuberi?

Zuberi’s family comes from Karachi, Pakistan. He positioned himself as a venture capitalist in Los Angeles and funded US politicians. He was a Democrat but later supported Republican Donald Trump with a $900,000 donation in 2016.

Before sentencing, Zuberi lobbied foreign diplomats and sought high-level political contacts in multiple countries, including Pakistan. He also solicited business deals using his US political connections.

Political Maneuvers and Legal Issues

In June 2020, Zuberi pleaded guilty to making a $900,000 donation through a shell company to Trump’s inaugural committee. Some of these funds originated from foreign sources and concealed donors. He also worked with Qatar and Bahrain, lobbying US officials to further business interests.

Zuberi retained Richard Olson, former US Ambassador to Pakistan and UAE, for consulting services. Olson later faced charges for failing to disclose trips and lobbying activities. Court papers confirm that Zuberi used Olson’s advice to influence foreign policy and business outcomes.

Illegal Payments and Shell Companies

Zuberi operated Avenue Ventures LLC, falsely presenting it as a large venture capital firm. His Chinese wife acted as his secretary. He attempted to lift sanctions on a Bahraini citizen and influenced Congress members to intervene. He also failed to report millions on his 2014 tax return from Sri Lankan sources.

Two US officials confirmed that Zuberi, a Pakistani-American with an Indian mother, was behind these illegal payments.

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