KARACHI: A Karachi-based Fulbright scholar, who was recently barred from entering the United States, has advised compatriots not to travel to Pakistan or outside the US until they get their degrees.
In an exclusive interview with Geo.tv, Zia Hussain Syed, a student of University of Chicago, speaks about how he was returned from the airport when he was about to board a flight to the US.
Having reached at the Karachi airport, he says that he was told by officials that they could not allow him to travel to US.
"They told me, 'We have confidential information from the US Customs and Border Protection,'" the 25-year-old recalls, followed by their demand to show them his documents, which he complied.
"They [documents] all look good, but you should consult the US Embassy," he says he was told by one of the officials at the airport.
Asked about his teachers and colleagues, Syed says that they have been most amazing human beings. "Just before this interview began, I received a text message from the bank manager I used to deal with during my days in Chicago, extending all his support to me.
"In the midst of such dark time, I got emails from my professors, making my life better. They told me to be patient and it was all beautiful."
Asked whether he sees the incident being linked to Trump travel ban, he says: "I feel there's no direct connection of it with the travel ban. The timing happens to be pretty much the same, but I won't say that."
Syed says his Fulbright advisors, who technically represent the US State Department, have been in constant touch with him. However, he says it seems they are somehow unable to get through to the people in the US Visa Department and Customs and Border Protection.
He goes on to tell that the US Customs officials have absolutely not given him any reason to restrict him from travelling to the US.
The Fulbright scholar, who is one of the 150 students on scholarship, also has an advice for compatriots: "I have been telling them not to travel to Pakistan or outside the US, until they get the degree.
"You have already put in so much efforts, so much time. You don't want to be in limbo and regretting randomly coming to Pakistan."
Syed, however, maintains that he does not see something going on against Pakistan. "I am just saying that to be on a safe side do not travel. Stay there [in US], have good time and you will probably be back in a year or two anyway."
—Edited by: Kashif Imran