WASHINGTON, Dec 1: Pakistan ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi met Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca on Friday to discuss the issue of people of Pakistani origin detained in the United States following the events of September 11.

This has been an ongoing subject of discussion between Pakistan and US officials for the past many weeks. According to Justice Department figures released last week, 208 persons born in Pakistan are being held on immigration charges. Their names have not been announced.

According to an embassy press release, the ambassador informed Ms Rocca that they would like the US authorities to provide the names of all Pakistani detainees, the location of the detention centres, and specific charges under which they had been detained.

The ambassador also requested consular access to the detainees and reiterated the earlier offer that Pakistani missions in the US would be ready to facilitate the deportation process in cases where the detainees agreed not to contest their deportation.

Ms Rocca was said to have reaffirmed the US authorities’ desire to be helpful in this matter. The press release said it had been assured by the American officials that the detainees would be treated in accordance with the US law and that the US government would fulfil its obligations under the Vienna Convention.