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ROME: Italian authorities said Monday they were checking the background of a Pakistani man removed from an easyJet flight to Britain minutes before take-off after he was found to be travelling on a suspect passport.
“Checks are under way, there is no need to start speculating in a way that could cause alarm,” Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said on Canale5 television.
“It is too early to say if it was a case of a violation of immigration and citizenship rules or anything more than that. We will know more in the coming hours."
Flight EZY4917 from Rome's Fiumicino airport to London-Luton was within minutes of its scheduled 12:35 pm take-off on Sunday when Italian border agents boarded the plane and removed the man, easyJet confirmed.
A spokesman told AFP the man had been removed after the UK border agency alerted the Italians to discrepancies between the passport details the 33-year-old passenger had entered in his online booking and information that they held in their database.
“We don't know if it was definitely a fake passport. That is under police investigation,” the spokesman said.
After all bags were removed from the hold and rechecked, the plane took off later in the afternoon. EasyJet said five passengers unconnected with the suspect opted not to fly in the immediate aftermath of the incident and were switched to later flights.
The scare occurred on the same day that Alfano announced that a Pakistani was among nine foreigners expelled from Italy since December because of suspicions they could be involved in jihadist attacks.
The other eight expelled were five Tunisians, an Egyptian, a Moroccan and a Turk.
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On DawnNews
Comments (81) Closed
Jan 19, 2015 03:37pm
This should never be news.
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Jan 19, 2015 03:46pm
Side effects of participating, sponsoring, propagating, and cultivating of terrorism. Such treatments are bound to happen.
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Jan 19, 2015 03:49pm
"five passengers unconnected with the suspect opted not to fly in the immediate aftermath of the incident and were switched to later flights." Pakistani passport evokes so much fear world over!!!
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Jan 19, 2015 03:58pm
Such is the reputation of Pakistan! Policies of the Pakistani leadership since 1947 has brought these miseries on its people.
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Jan 19, 2015 03:58pm
@Point of View Side effects of US destructive policies and creating Taliban
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Jan 19, 2015 03:59pm
@Akbaruddin Actually DAWN want to realize us that we are Zombie
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Jan 19, 2015 04:08pm
@Akbaruddin Or they could be passengers who may have opted out for any number of reasons not simply because a Pakistani was removed from the plane. But if you look at everything thru Indian glasses then yes I agree with your statement -:)
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Jan 19, 2015 04:10pm
@AsR - If "this should never be news" then what is? Enlighten us of your personal choice as news?
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Jan 19, 2015 04:10pm
Sometimes, happening of nothing can be news. amazing.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:11pm
These days, anyone who invokes any suspicion will be removed from the plane immediately. It could happen to anyone holding any passport not just Pakistani passport. Obviously our Indian readers think otherwise as usual LOL
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Jan 19, 2015 04:18pm
@Akbaruddin - But "such fear" was illogical if the guy had been evicted anyway. Typical how only this aspect of the news comes to a neighbourly attention. Might the "five passengers" be Indians?
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Jan 19, 2015 04:29pm
The truth is indians are greeting with open arms across the world and we are poked with a sharp pointy stick. Why?
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Jan 19, 2015 04:30pm
One of my Pakistani friend bought first class ticket from Toronto to Dubai. After boarding, the staff asked him to sit on economy class or get down, as they have orders, not to let him seat near cockpit. He was in tears after reaching Dubai assuming what happens to next generation of Muslims in west due to the reputation they got by not condemning terror activities in public forums.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:33pm
@lafanga feel free to re assure yourself as much as possible but the fact remains that Pakistanis are seen with suspicion almost everywhere. You don't have to believe me, but I've lived in Australia for more than 7 years now and your Pakiatani brothers here introduce themselves as indians to a westerner. Such is the height of embarrassment that Pakistanis living overseas feel. Now that is a failure of your leadership since 1947
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Jan 19, 2015 04:35pm
It is a very sad era of international media they look for disturbing news and if there is a slightest of clue that a Muslim involved then it is Big News but if someone else then it is just a routine.
I would like to give you an example of this a 32 years old suspect in the Norwegian attacks, Anders Behring Breivik he killed nearly 100 people mainly teenagers.
Have you heard what has happened to him or his trial, there is no news since then and you know why.
However Muslims have been arrested as police found London tube maps, some other land mark building maps (these maps and other land mark material is widely available free of charge at any tube station) etc. and they were arrested under anti-terrorists laws tried and convicted of terror charges.
They were shown on the national prime time television. This is a news.
I am sure we all know there are bad apples in our community so as in other religion and communities.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:46pm
@lafanga
Can you please enlighten us as to why Indians are NOT in news for such acts..
I may put it rarely you hear of Indians involved in such things.. Just read 3 Pakistani beheaded in Saudi this year and it is only 17 Jan....Read it..
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Jan 19, 2015 04:47pm
@Ash Everyone who follows the news what happened, how he was tried and how is being kept in jail. If you don't follow news, that doesn't mean everyone else is also same blank.
Tell me if you didn't suspect it to be a muslim when you first heard about Paris attack?
or attack in London on 7/7. unfortunately Muslims globally have reputation of intolerance and violence.
That doesn't mean others are not violent, Every ethnic and race group has racial tendencies but almost all have given up religious motivated violence.
The global death toll in drug wars is still higher than Muslim terrorism, but that doesn't mean Muslims don't have this tendency. Or Drug wars are covered differently due to a ocnspiray. Crimes and terrorism in a society are always dealt differently.
Remember Major Nidal Hassan in USA?
He was tried as criminal not terrorist. Even though he was a Muslim and killed many. So is case of Norwegian guy. Reason: these guys acted alone and had no global / political agenda of mass terrorism.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:49pm
That is highly disappointing. What is wrong with our countrymen, why can't they show maturity?
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Jan 19, 2015 04:51pm
@syam It is not just condemning, it is due to mass support. People are paranoid and afraid. Rest, thousands of Muslims daily travel in first /business class and sit near cockpit, no one cares. A paranoid pilot still has right to change seats.How many Muslim globally have stood against or protested against terrorism?
After Peshawar incident around 100 people from population of 200 million came on roads and protested.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:52pm
@Jason First of all a Pakistani cannot pretend to be an Indian even if he/she wanted to. Trust me on this.
Secondly, why on Earth a Pakistani want to pretend to be an Indian in Australia out of all places. Don't you remember string of crimes against Indians in Australia including murder?
And lastly, a well known Pakistani cricketer, a legend actually, Wasim Akram married an Australian. I guess he also pretended to be from India LOL.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:53pm
Instead of putting suspicions on the travelers and pointing fingers on a whole nation, airlines should hire responsible document checking staff on airport so that they who would not let a person board the plane, in case their is any discrepancy in provided documents.
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Jan 19, 2015 04:53pm
@Ash Posessing maps and possessing maps with marked locations and further history of an individuals matter. Do you think that a court will prosecute someone due to some maps?
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Jan 19, 2015 04:57pm
@joe "Can you please enlighten us as to why Indians are NOT in news for such acts."
Shah Rukh Khan was held at JFK and questioned for few hours. And these are famous people. Numerous other such incidents also made the headlines. You just need to find them.
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Jan 19, 2015 05:01pm
@syam "One of my Pakistani friend bought first class ticket from Toronto to Dubai. After boarding, the staff asked him to sit on economy class or get down"
This is impossible. Even American airlines won't do it as it is discrimination based on religion/ethnicity. They will either let you fly or take you off the plane. They can't just yank you from 1st class and put you in economy class.
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Jan 19, 2015 05:19pm
Instead of improving the quality of life of the citizens the nation is spending scarce resources on ramping up nuclear and fissionable materiel!
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Jan 19, 2015 05:20pm
I was once deported from Cambodia just because of being a Pakistani national.
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Jan 19, 2015 05:42pm
@Akbaruddin That was an ordinary person carrying a suspicious passport. Do you remember India's top celebrity Shahrukh Khan when he went to US how was he treated?
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Jan 19, 2015 05:44pm
@A shah with open arms? You remember how their top celebrity Shahrukh Khan was greater at JFK airport in New York?
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Jan 19, 2015 05:47pm
@Jason this is your story. I have lived in far east for more than ten years and all Indians feel complexed against Pakistanis. Trust me If someone mistakes them as a Pakistani they feel very proud. Pakistanis are looked very high upon as compared to Indians. If you don't believe, please take a stop over in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia or Brunei. It will open your eyes.
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Jan 19, 2015 05:47pm
Time for a makeover of Pakistan as a powerful peace loving nation.
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Jan 19, 2015 05:48pm
@A shah Unless you are Shah Rukh Khan. In which case you will be detained and questioned at JFK.
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Jan 19, 2015 06:12pm
@Insafseeker snip// I have lived in far east for more than ten years and all Indians feel complexed against Pakistanis. Trust me If someone mistakes them as a Pakistani they feel very proud. Pakistanis are looked very high upon as compared to Indians. If you don't believe, please take a stop over in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia or Brunei. It will open your eyes//.
This no such thing exists in these countries. I am living in Thailand for more than 3 years and never experienced or listened such incidents…
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Jan 19, 2015 06:17pm
@A shah
Dont compare orange with apples ... simple ...
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Jan 19, 2015 06:19pm
@HZR : Everything in Pak has to do with fission - religion , ethnics, political leadership- military etc. no scope for fusion for a country born out of fission .
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Jan 19, 2015 06:40pm
@Point of View Your experience is 3 years and mine is 10. It surely happens.
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Jan 19, 2015 07:00pm
@Waqass
"Remember Major Nidal Hassan in USA? He was tried as criminal not terrorist"
It is because Americans and most western countries are politically correct and always fearful about upsetting their Muslim population.
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Jan 19, 2015 07:02pm
@Point of View
Well it is his 10 years vs. your 3 years experience !!!
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Jan 19, 2015 07:02pm
@Tranquil bro I agree with you on all point but not on one? You know I appreciate your govt war against terrorism at fatta waziristan extra but why you security adviser gave statement in UN that Pakistan will not strike those terrorist group, which has not against Pakistan,your advisor should not speak this, I don't why he gave that statement at international forum, he ruined pak efforts
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Jan 19, 2015 07:06pm
@lafanga Sharukh Khan was held for a reason. His promoters in US (based out of Chicago) are linked with shady business and are on the list..
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Jan 19, 2015 07:21pm
Yay, he was bound for Luton (My hometown)
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Jan 19, 2015 07:21pm
We are reaping the fruits of our leaderships incompetence in fighting proxy wars for their 'paymasters' (the West)!
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Jan 19, 2015 07:54pm
@Point of View Pakistan passport is one of the least accepted in the world.
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Jan 19, 2015 07:56pm
I am in favor of this removal ,then to loose hundred's.
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Jan 19, 2015 08:11pm
@lafanga ! I am telling truth.
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Jan 19, 2015 08:22pm
@karthik "Pakistan passport is one of the least accepted in the world"
Ok let's look at the facts.
Pakistani passport holders can travel to 32 countries either visa free or visa on arrival. Compared to this, Indian passport holders can travel to 52 countries either visa free or visa on arrival.
None of these visa free or on arrival for both passports are in the Western world or Middle East. 90% of these countries are in Africa.
I don't see much difference where Indians can go visa free compared to Pakistan.
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Jan 19, 2015 09:07pm
Don't assume it will only be Pakistani passports, I bet they are looking very closely at Muslims with foreign passports after this event in Europe. Its plain old racial profiling.
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Jan 19, 2015 09:13pm
Pakistan Zindabad!!!
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Jan 19, 2015 09:15pm
@A shah : "Indians are greeting with open arms across the world "
Not all Indians are greeted with open arms across the world.
Even their ex-President had to go through humiliating treatment as a US airport.
Know why?
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Jan 19, 2015 09:38pm
@Insafseeker but America later apologize for this .. Google search
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Jan 19, 2015 09:41pm
Anybody here who wants to know truth should checkout people separated out for further interrogation at jfk airport newyork...most of them have green passport
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Jan 19, 2015 09:42pm
Most likely a false alarm to malign Pakistan.
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Jan 19, 2015 10:11pm
@gary They are profiling Muslims in general, not just Pakistanis. They will do the same to Muslims with Indian passport also. They routinely interrogate Muslims citizens travelling to US from visa waiver countries like Britain or France etc.
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Jan 19, 2015 10:12pm
@Robinson - NY "Sharukh Khan was held for a reason. His promoters in US (based out of Chicago) are linked with shady business and are on the list"
Ok so Indians are involved in shady business as well in the US and are on the list. Thanks for the info.
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Jan 19, 2015 10:48pm
@Insafseeker this looks like a joke of the century
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Jan 19, 2015 10:57pm
@lafanga so that means even African countries don't allow Pakistanis to travel to their countries without visa, you said it brother
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Jan 19, 2015 11:22pm
This is not the plight of Pakistani passport holders but little idiosyncrasies of Pakistanis.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:45am
@Jason I wonder which Pakistanis these are. Having being educated in various countries in the west and currently living there, I have yet to meet a Pakistani who would introduce themselves as Indians. I agree that things are drastically wrong with Pakistani society but Jason or 'Jaswal' NO Pakistani will introduce them as Indian. Iranian or Turkish maybe..but not Indian. I am not saying saying this out of spite but I for one am really proud of my Pakistani Pathan roots and I certainly won't pass for an Indian, even if I tried...let alone introducing myself as one.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:57am
:) just propaganda PC passports are normal
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Jan 20, 2015 01:05am
@lafanga That's an unfortunate trend in US as well. Pakistani's introduce themselves as Indians to non south asian's, when u start digging in they start coming up with fantasy stories.
Even the ones who identify themselves as Pakistanis don't want to talk about their country. They tell you they don't follow what's going on back home.
Feel sorry for them.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:25am
@syam ...highly unlikely story!
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Jan 20, 2015 02:36am
@Waqass ......so was the invasion and killing of Iraqis and afghanis by USA and allied forces a Christian crusade carried out as intolerance towards all that represents Islam? All these outfits are brainwashed youths who also in their societies are known misfits.Almost all these men have a criminal background.Joining ISIS is a way to get out and vent their criminal thoughts on other muslims.Charlie Hebdo is just one of a few cases of where the victims were non muslims.Otherwise these youth are killing their own.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:37am
@Ash Bad is better than a bad name.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:40am
An Indian actor, a Hindu, named Kamal Hssan was meted the same treatment when he was flying in the US.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:48am
@lafanga Even former President of India Abdul Kalam was strip searched at the JFK. And guess, he did not even mind, just laughed it off.And yes, he had diplomatic passport.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:56am
@lafanga SRK was, detained, strip searched at the JFK, just because poor guy happens to be a Muslim with very Muslim name.
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Jan 20, 2015 03:37am
@lafanga better safe than sorry
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Jan 20, 2015 03:50am
@lafanga
It does not matter what their nationality are but you will get more details here:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Heat-on-SRK-was-because-of-scanner-on-Bollywood-shows/articleshow/4916759.cms
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Jan 20, 2015 03:59am
@AsR Why Not?
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Jan 20, 2015 06:05am
@Fabian as I mentioned my friend, you don't have to believe me. My actual name is Jason and in my line of work I deal with my clients mostly on the phone. 90% of the pakistanis that I speak to over the phone do not realise my ethnicity due to my name and have given me their roots as Indian, Punjabi and even as a Mumbaikar. It's only when I tell them I'm from India and ask more questions, do they say that they are actually Pakistani. I Do not care if you're proud of your roots or not but my honest experience points otherwise. My question is, if Palistani policies have been right as per what you and your govt says, why are your brothers overseas embarrassed? Something is wrong, sir. And the faster you fix this the easier it will be for everyone.
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Jan 20, 2015 06:39am
@AsR well its a news for you.. ;)
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Jan 20, 2015 06:41am
@AsR : why?
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Jan 20, 2015 06:44am
Most probably this was a data entry error. Or else a fraudulent means of reaching the UK for asylum or migration.
Most probably this wasn't related to terrorism.
However because it was a Pak passport, it's become news. Such things, I am sure, happen to Indian PP holders also but don't get reported because they are non-events.
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Jan 20, 2015 08:43am
the badge of dishonor in the international arena..
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Jan 20, 2015 09:28am
@lafanga well u can confirm this from Najam Sethi
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Jan 20, 2015 11:04am
@Ash anders breivik has been convicted to 21 years in prison. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/25/world/europe/anders-behring-breivik-murder-trial.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
If you search with his name, it is always attached with term mass murderer.
Just because you did not follow the news does not mean that he was spared.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:12am
@Chanakya "@lafanga Even former President of India Abdul Kalam was strip searched at the JFK. And guess, he did not even mind, just laughed it off.And yes, he had diplomatic passport."
No. He was not strip searched. Simply asked tomremove his shoes. Something even Al Gore had to do once he was no longer the Vice President.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:35am
I have travelled recently from Toronto to Dubai on way to Karachi by a foreign airline. They wanted to have few passengers in First class on vacant seats, we were among the lucky ones, so it is not true in all cases but I sympathize with you.
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Jan 20, 2015 02:17pm
@Ash You are correct there are bad apples in every faith but in other faiths if any wrong doing done by their people they will immediately disown them and contemn the act. But any violent act committed by Muslims,many Muslims support them and will justify them by telling this is revenge against the policy of west towards Muslims or Israels treatment towards Palestinians or any other violation of religious sentiments like cartoon. That is the difference.
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Jan 20, 2015 08:22pm
@Insafseeker
A PAKISTANI passport and/or visitor is viewed with suspicion all over the world.
By extension,this is also largely true of muslim visitors,especially from Pakistan.
People have commented here about INDIA's Shah Rukh Khan.
Every one in INDIA knows that he was profiled because he has a muslim name.
Other Indians have also been subject to such delays ether because they were muslim or merely suspected to be muslims !
You are living in a dreamworld if you truly cannot see how the world outside
Pakistan has changed in the last decade or so !
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Jan 20, 2015 10:45pm
@syam Seems rubbish to me. I am Pakistani and hold a Pakistani Passport and live and work in US. I travel a lot for work and have Platinum status on one of the major airlines and some time get upgraded to first class. No one ever removed me from first class because "it's too close" to cockpit!
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Jan 21, 2015 01:59am
@Sohail You were lucky that you did not get a touchy pilot.
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