Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details

[Kompromat]

Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details

October 31, 2012
ALI HUSSAIN

The United States Embassy Tuesday refused to share details of the incident that took place in Toronto where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was briefly stopped and questioned by US immigration officials before giving permission to board a flight to New York.

"We cannot discuss the details of the case due to privacy of our policy," US Embassy spokesperson Rian Harris said when Business Recorder approached her for comments whether the interrogation of PTI chief was a routine matter or he was probed for his stance against the US drone operation in the country's tribal areas.

Imran Khan twitted on Friday on a social networking website that he was detained and interrogated by US immigration officials about his views on drones. The Embassy spokesperson, however, stated the issue was resolved and that Imran Khan is welcome in the United States.

More broadly, she added, "freedom of speech is protected by the US Constitution and disagreeing with US policy is not a reason that we would delay someone from boarding a plane." When contacted, PTI central information secretary Shafqat Mehmood termed it very unfortunate and demanded of the US to tender an apology to Imran Khan for questioning him and his accompanying party colleagues. "When somebody takes a stand against the US policies in the region, they resort to such tactics," he regretted.

Mehmood said PTI will not budge from its stance on drone attacks in tribal areas. If this is our fault, he added, we would love to go ahead with the same spirit as it's a violation of our sovereignty. "The US should also realize that drone attacks are counterproductive and these must be stopped immediately," he added. Imran who recently led an anti-US drones "peace march" to South Waziristan twitted on the social networking website on Friday saying, "I was taken off the plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views regarding drones. My stance is known... Drone attacks must stop."

Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details | Business Recorder

 

[VCheng]

These words must be kept in mind:

...............
More broadly, she added, "freedom of speech is protected by the US Constitution and disagreeing with US policy is not a reason that we would delay someone from boarding a plane." .......................

Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details | Business Recorder

 

[darkinsky]

These words must be kept in mind:

so you think imran khan is lying here?

how many unlawful activites are going on in US itself in the name of security on its own nationals?

VCheng wont even know that his line phone would have been tapped because he was born in pakistan and can be a potential threat

 

[VCheng]

so you think imran khan is lying here?.................

IK and his party are simply trying to gain political mileage out of the procedural delay, simply put, to further garnish his anti-US "patriotic" credentials. That is the simple truth.

 

[RazPaK]

Will be meeting him when he makes his way to Texas.

 

[darkinsky]

IK and his party are simply trying to gain political mileage out of the procedural delay, simply put, to further garnish his anti-US "patriotic" credentials. That is the simple truth.

its not a procedural delay, escorting somebody out of the plane isnt normal, he was OFFLOADED from the plane

also imran khan keeps travelling to countries like UK, canada and many others and nothing happens, but its surprising that it happens only in america that he is escorted off the plane for security check

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

i didnt realize that DHS's TSA was responsible for understanding peoples' political views on unmanned aircrafts...

half those TSA guys are high-school dropouts with gap-teeth, pot bellies and those redneck accents


"sir.....ummmm.....are you coming from uhh Paaaaaack-i-stannnnnn? Have you uhhh received any suspicious packages? Are you carrying nar-cawwwwwwwwwtics of any kaaaiiind"



purely a political move....little else

 

[Luftwaffe]

IK and his party are simply trying to gain political mileage out of the procedural delay, simply put, to further garnish his anti-US "patriotic" credentials. That is the simple truth.

You are living in the dark same as you were at Salala incident. Better follow Pakistan TV channels more closely. No where did IK say he or his Party has anti-US stance.

 

[Zarvan]

Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details

October 31, 2012
ALI HUSSAIN

The United States Embassy Tuesday refused to share details of the incident that took place in Toronto where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan was briefly stopped and questioned by US immigration officials before giving permission to board a flight to New York.

"We cannot discuss the details of the case due to privacy of our policy," US Embassy spokesperson Rian Harris said when Business Recorder approached her for comments whether the interrogation of PTI chief was a routine matter or he was probed for his stance against the US drone operation in the country's tribal areas.

Imran Khan twitted on Friday on a social networking website that he was detained and interrogated by US immigration officials about his views on drones. The Embassy spokesperson, however, stated the issue was resolved and that Imran Khan is welcome in the United States.

More broadly, she added, "freedom of speech is protected by the US Constitution and disagreeing with US policy is not a reason that we would delay someone from boarding a plane." When contacted, PTI central information secretary Shafqat Mehmood termed it very unfortunate and demanded of the US to tender an apology to Imran Khan for questioning him and his accompanying party colleagues. "When somebody takes a stand against the US policies in the region, they resort to such tactics," he regretted.

Mehmood said PTI will not budge from its stance on drone attacks in tribal areas. If this is our fault, he added, we would love to go ahead with the same spirit as it's a violation of our sovereignty. "The US should also realize that drone attacks are counterproductive and these must be stopped immediately," he added. Imran who recently led an anti-US drones "peace march" to South Waziristan twitted on the social networking website on Friday saying, "I was taken off the plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views regarding drones. My stance is known... Drone attacks must stop."

Interrogation of Imran: US Embassy refuses to share details | Business Recorder

This kind of blunders by Americans will only increase support for Imran and his cause against drones and harm USA more when on earth they will start using some sense

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Well the process is very simple , once your name is entered , even wrongfully , and in most cases its just happens to be entered from the Nadra database that our own government sent to them idiots

All the people's name do show up in that list you actually don't even have to have a valid reason

 

[Oldman1]

This kind of blunders by Americans will only increase support for Imran and his cause against drones and harm USA more when on earth they will start using some sense

I'm sorry but having him come to the U.S. is already being considered how should I say this treasonous to the eyes of the Pakistanis. Hypocritical maybe...

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

how is he "anti-US" when he himself says he's only against some of the policies --- not the people/country


hell --if he were anti-American then why did Americans include themselves in his convoy to Tank? This whole "he is taleban" and "he is anti-American" is just mere propaganda and character assassination and i don't think this will work....

 

[Zarvan]

how is he "anti-US" when he himself says he's only against some of the policies --- not the people/country


hell --if he were anti-American then why did Americans include themselves in his convoy to Tank? This whole "he is taleban" and "he is anti-American" is just mere propaganda and character assassination and i don't think this will work....

Sir for them that is enough reason to be called anti USA because who ever disagrees with USA policies is called terrorist or supporter of terrorism

 

[TVVELVEMO$]

This brouhaha is nothing but a storm in a tea cup as they say. But I appreciate that Pakistanis are somewhat discombobulated as it is the Grand Khan himself. For US it is a routine security matter.

Firstly, it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to allow OR deny a foreign person to step on her soil. If an alien/non-citizen is "suspected" to harbor ill-will towards US, politically or otherwise; US has the right to deny that foreigner the privilege of enjoying a tour of US. Something US encourages Pakistan to do. Imagine bearded arabs, chechens, uzbeks, Indonesians being questioned about their Salafist/Takfiri beliefs and deported from Pakistan!!

Secondly, Mr Khan is visiting US to garner support from Ex-pats, collect money, and raise his political profile back home. No doubt he will be eager to be seen on as many US news channels as possible. Fareed Zakaria, Wolf Blitzer on CNN, Charlie Rose on PBS, and few others. His lobbyists are trying to get him to see some high profile US personalities but alas it is election time here and anyone who is somebody is kind-a busy.

So it is only fair for US to ask is there any upside to letting Mr Khan go around NYC, Houston, and DC? Does he favor Americans freely moving about in his home nation? Does he plan to build bridges with American public? Is he willing to be the kind of leader in Muslim world who does not demonize US but wants to cooperate and live harmoniously? Very few of these concerns can be answered in the affirmative!

Maybe the Khan can take some pointers from Recep Erdogan. Then Pakistan would have gained a true leader.......Only then....

When it comes to American lives, US has decided to not take chances thus Pakistanis will continue to be scrutinized thoroughly at US ports until a Pakistani leader demonstrates he takes anti-terrorism seriously and is willing to re-orient his/her nation in that direction.

I personally suspect the Grand Khan of cricket is a false hope and we will have to look beyond him.
Just my personal assessment of the man thus far.

 

[Awesome]

IK and his party are simply trying to gain political mileage out of the procedural delay, simply put, to further garnish his anti-US "patriotic" credentials. That is the simple truth.

Procedures are documented - till anyone can furnish the relevant documentation stating why it was incumbent upon the authorities to singly pull him out, the simplest conclusion is the best one - it was something out of procedure.

I'm sorry but having him come to the U.S. is already being considered how should I say this treasonous to the eyes of the Pakistanis. Hypocritical maybe...

Hes going to the US to fix one of Pakistan's problem at its source!