Screening of Pakistani passengers unacceptable: Senators
Pakistan
Screening of Pakistani passengers unacceptable: Senators
Senators have strongly rejected the body screening system introduced at US airports and demanded the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to take up the matter with US authorities to consider the concerns of Pakistan regarding special scrutiny and end the discriminatory attitude with Pakistanis. Minister of State (MoS) for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad said that special screening of Pakistani passengers at US airports is unacceptable and this has been conveyed to the US authorities. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that American government has been asked to drop all charges against Dr Afia and repatriate her if it wants to win public support in Pakistan. Professor Khurshid Shah has said that country-wide protest must be lodged against this policy. Ishaq Dar said that Americans coming to Pakistan must also be thorough same process. Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that Pakistani women should not be permitted to travel to America due to the American screening policy. SM Zafar said that the screening policy violates human rights. Shahid Bugti said that the government should implement the recommendations of the Senate. During the question-answer session, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ammad Khan said that India is not cooperating for the release of 748 Pakistanis who are in Indian prisons. Minister for Commerce Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani said that during 2009 Pakistan Steel Mills posted a loss of Rs 22 billion.
