ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: The government said on Thursday it was doing its best to de-list Pakistan from the US National Security Entry-Exit Registration System procedures and to extend indefinitely the registration deadline for Pakistani nationals.
The statement comes in the wake of increasing criticism in the press that Pakistan was not doing enough to address the problems being faced by Pakistanis in the United States as a result of the NSEERS procedures.
The government claimed that the Bush administration had expressed understanding of Pakistan’s concerns, pointing out that US legislators had also opposed the NSEERS procedures.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told Dawn on Wednesday that he had sought a meeting between Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington and the US attorney-general through Secretary of State Colin Powell. “The meeting will take place in a day or two and our ambassador will emphatically present Pakistan’s position and concerns on the issue,” Mr Kasuri said.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has asked the Washington to ensure that the Pakistan Embassy officials got access to its nationals at the time of their registration.
The foreign ministry challenged reports that suggested that Pakistan was not actively pursuing the matter with the US authorities. In a statement on Thursday, the ministry underlined that on learning of the INS policy Pakistan had immediately conveyed its concerns and sense of disappointment in strong terms to the US administration.
These concerns were subsequently raised with the US at the highest level which included Secretary of State Colin Powell, Deputy Secretary of State Armitage, Deputy Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, said the statement, adding that the matter was also discussed with US Ambassador Nancy Powell.
The ministry said that the Pakistan Embassy had established camp offices in major US cities and issued guidelines for the registration process.
“Legal assistance and advice is also being provided to the community,” read the statement. “The ministry has sanctioned funds for this purpose,” it said without quantifying the amount.
The statement further said that on the directive of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali the foreign minister was proceeding to Washington shortly to take up the matter with the US government.