'Visa less' US Govt war on terror officials having free run across Pak - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Most US government officials engaged in the war on terror in Pakistan don't have proper visas, a senior Pakistani security official has revealed. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official told The Nation that American officials have also stopped seeking Pakistani Foreign Office's permission before moving from one city to another. "Gone are the days when foreigners, especially those from Western countries, would ask permission from Foreign Office to visit another city," he said. The security official also revealed that many American officials detained briefly on suspicion by police lacked any endorsement made in their passports by competent authorities allowing the bearers to enter Pakistan . "The foreigners apparently engaged in war against terror have some other motives, which are contrary to the national interests of Pakistan ," the intelligence official said. He also pointed out that many a times US citizens have been seen carrying weapons, bombs, and fake number plates, but a criminal case does never get registered against them. And as far as floundering the visa rules are concerned, the official revealed that Americans land at airport from where they call Interior Ministry and that is all. "The FIA officials take care of the rest. Their documents, passports, and baggage are not checked. They are escorted safely to US embassy or to the destination of their choice," he said. However, the press attaché of US Embassy Richard Snelsire rejected the intelligence official's claims, saying that all US diplomats and US government personnel entering Pakistan either have valid visas issued by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "All US diplomats and US government personnel go through immigration on arrival and are subject to the same checks in customs that all diplomats from all other countries are subjected to pursuant to the Vienna Convention," he said.