This was, as the author states, not a good time for Americans to be gallivanting around Asia visiting the families of college roommates. I feel certain there was a more compelling reason for this visit—one Obama isn't sharing. (Now, if Obama were a Muslim, his reason for the visit would be much clearer.)
“Obama stayed in Karachi with the family of a college friend, Muhammed Hasan Chandoo.”
There were two young men with the last name Chandoo who Barack “hung with” at Occidental College in LA. Both of them were from Karachi, Pakistan.
There was also a third Pakistani in Barack’s sphere at Occidental. Sohale Sidiqqi (a.k.a. Sadek in “Dreams...”) was the third Pakistani Barack knew. He met Sadek at Occidental when he came to CA to visit the two Pakistani’s named Chandoo. Sadek had something to do with guiding Barack to Columbia because he became Barack’s (non-student!) roommate (on an expired work visa, ANOTHER illegal alien) who lived with Barack at 339 E. 94th Street while Barack attended Columbia University in NYC.