ID :
99037
Sat, 01/09/2010 - 17:28
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http://m.oananews.org//node/99037
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Pakistani PM angrily reacts to US airport screening
Islamabad, Jan 9, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday expressed his serious reservations on the new security measures introduced by the US government for screening Pakistani nationals in the United States and termed them discriminatory.
Gilani was talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain, the Prime Minister office said.
The US has introduced screening for people traveling the United States from Pakistan and 13 other countries.
Gilnai stated that such policies cause consternation and anxiety among the people of Pakistan and their continuity can negatively impact the bilateral ties.
“The Prime Minister urged the US government to revisit this policy and asked for immediate removal of Pakistan from the list of the countries affected by it,” a statement said.
Gilani also expressed his concerns over the delay in reimbursement of the mounting outstanding amount on account of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan which by December, 2009 had crossed the limit of US $2billion.
He said this inordinate delay in receipt of payments from the US is affecting its campaign against terrorism. He stressed that the disbursement issue of CSF Fund must not be linked with any other issue and the overdue payments to Pakistan must be made on fast-track basis.
Gilani reiterated his government’s disappointment over the continuing drone attacks and persisting reluctance of the US to share drone technology with Pakistan to enable it to take on the terror centers in its border areas itself, the statement said.
Gilani, while highlighting the economic cost of around US$35 billion borne by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, in the past eight years, called upon the US to help the Pakistani government to revive its economy, which currently is its top priority.
Senator Joseph Lieberman, who is the Chairman of Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee of the US Senate, agreed with the Prime Minister on the negative fallout of the new security measures, the statement said.
He stated that he himself was skeptical about the usefulness of these measures. He assured the Prime Minister that he will take up this issue in the next meeting of his Committee, soon after the US Congress reconvenes its session later this month. /end
Gilani was talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain, the Prime Minister office said.
The US has introduced screening for people traveling the United States from Pakistan and 13 other countries.
Gilnai stated that such policies cause consternation and anxiety among the people of Pakistan and their continuity can negatively impact the bilateral ties.
“The Prime Minister urged the US government to revisit this policy and asked for immediate removal of Pakistan from the list of the countries affected by it,” a statement said.
Gilani also expressed his concerns over the delay in reimbursement of the mounting outstanding amount on account of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan which by December, 2009 had crossed the limit of US $2billion.
He said this inordinate delay in receipt of payments from the US is affecting its campaign against terrorism. He stressed that the disbursement issue of CSF Fund must not be linked with any other issue and the overdue payments to Pakistan must be made on fast-track basis.
Gilani reiterated his government’s disappointment over the continuing drone attacks and persisting reluctance of the US to share drone technology with Pakistan to enable it to take on the terror centers in its border areas itself, the statement said.
Gilani, while highlighting the economic cost of around US$35 billion borne by Pakistan in the war against terrorism, in the past eight years, called upon the US to help the Pakistani government to revive its economy, which currently is its top priority.
Senator Joseph Lieberman, who is the Chairman of Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee of the US Senate, agreed with the Prime Minister on the negative fallout of the new security measures, the statement said.
He stated that he himself was skeptical about the usefulness of these measures. He assured the Prime Minister that he will take up this issue in the next meeting of his Committee, soon after the US Congress reconvenes its session later this month. /end
