[1] He served as member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta (MLA) from 1986 to 1993, sitting with the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) caucus.
He subsequently taught mathematics and then sociology and political science at Mount Royal University for more than 25 years.
He finished a distant third out of four in the hotly contested race behind incumbent Social Credit MLA Robert Simpson and winning Progressive Conservative candidate Roy Farran.
Pashak once again finished a distant third place out of five candidates losing to Progressive Conservative incumbent Eldon Woolliams.
He was defeated by Progressive Conservative incumbent John Kushner and also finished behind former MLA Albert Ludwig in the field of seven candidates.
He finished a distant third out of four for the fifth time in his career behind winner Progressive Conservative candidate Brian Lee and defeated incumbent Tom Sindlinger.
He finished a distant third out of eight in the open district behind winner Progressive Conservative candidate Alex Kindy and former Mayor Rod Sykes.
Pashak won the district on heavy vote splitting, finishing slightly ahead of Progressive Conservative candidate Moe Amery to win his first term in office.
Pashak was also noted for his "strong friendship" with Ralph Klein,[11] which began when the latter was mayor of Calgary and extended to when he became premier.
Pashak ran for re-election in the provincial electoral district of Calgary-East, facing Amery for the third consecutive election.