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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 8 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday expressed his serious reservations on the new security measures introduced by the United States government for screening Pakistani nationals and termed them "discriminatory". Gilani said this while talking to the U.S. Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain, the Prime Minister office said. The U.S. has introduced screening for people flying to the U.S. from Pakistan and 13 other countries. The security measures included full-body pat-downs, a physical inspection of personal property, or screening by one of the 40 advanced-imaging machines located in 19 U.S. airports. 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 U.S. government to revisit this policy and asked for immediate removal of Pakistan from the list of the countries affected by it," a statement said. The Prime Minister reiterated his government's disappointment over the continuing drone attacks and persisting reluctance of the U.S. 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 35 billion U.S. dollars borne by Pakistan in the war against terrorism in the past eight years, called upon the U.S. to help the government of Pakistan 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 U.S. Senate, agreed with the prime minister on the negative fallout of the new security measures, the statement said. Lieberman 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 U.S. Congress reconvenes its session later this month. |
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