Islamabad: Strict measures put in place by
American authorities to screen air travellers from Pakistan
have emerged as a major irritant in relations between the two
countries, with President Asif Ali Zardari today asking the US
to review its new security policy.
Zardari raised the issue during a meeting in Lahore with
visiting US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan,
Richard Holbrooke.
Zardari told the envoy that "the new screening regime
for Pakistani nationals needed to be reviewed," an official
statement said.
The new regime, introduced after a Nigerian bomber
unsuccessfully tried to blow up a US-bound flight on Christmas
Day, was assailed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during
a speech in Parliament yesterday.
Describing the screening of Pakistanis as "humiliating
and against our self-respect," Gilani said the matter has been
raised with the US through diplomatic channels.
Gilani also said recently that the new security measures
had caused "consternation and anxiety" among Pakistanis and
could "negatively impact bilateral ties."
The US Transportation Security Administration introduced
tougher screening rules for travellers from 14 countries,
including Pakistan, Nigeria, Sudan and Yemen. The travellers
are facing body pat-down searches and their carry-on baggage
is being checked.
PTI
First Published: Friday, January 15, 2010, 18:59