HARRISBURG (Pennsylvania), Aug 20: A commercial pilot and convert to Islam, who says his name is on the US government’s secret terrorist watch list, has fought back, filing a federal lawsuit against the Homeland Security Department and various other federal agencies.

Erich Scherfen says that unless his name is removed from the list, he faces losing not only his job but the ability to make a living in his chosen profession.

“My livelihood depends on being off this list,” Scherfen told reporters on Tuesday. He says that the government’s actions have violated his and his wife’s rights. Both he and his Pakistan-born Muslim wife said they had no criminal records or ties to terrorists.—AP