Terming held American a spy premature, inappropriate: Ministry

ISLAMABAD: An investigation report presented to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan over the entry of blacklisted US citizen Mathew Craig Barrett in Islamabad indicated negligence on part of visa officer deputed in Pakistan Consulate, Houston, who had issued Pakistani visa within 24 hours after receiving an application from Barrett.

The minister had directed a senior ranking police official SP Captain (R) Ilyas to probe the entry of blacklisted US citizen Barrett in Islamabad from Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA). The official was tasked to probe the mater within 24 hours after the incident.

Chairing a meeting here on Sunday, Chaudhry Nisar was also informed that gross negligence was also registered by the investigators on part of the FIA immigration desk official dealing with Barrett. The FIA immigration desk officials at BBIA allowed smooth entry to US blacklisted citizen ignoring basic immigration assessments and protocols. Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, Police and FIA were also present during the meeting.

The minister was informed by the investigators over how the FIA official, as a second check list procedure, detected entry of blacklisted US citizen into Pakistan, alerting the authorities who later swung into action for an immediate arrest of Barrett. The minister announced Rs100,000 for the system in-charge of IBMS Fahd Qayyum deputed at the BBIA, who had detected the case of Barrett within a short span of time soon after his exit from the airport.

Taking briefing over immigration operational procedures in place, Nisar directed the FIA top brass to review its immigration ground operational processes and ensure a mechanism to permanently plug entry of blacklisted individuals into Pakistan from its borders and airports.

The Interior Ministry spokesman also quoted Chaudhry Nisar as saying, “FIA should ensure implementation of a policy which must plug loopholes which allow entry of blacklisted citizens into Pakistan from our international airports (including land and sea point of entries).”

The minister said a policy must also be devised for future that foreigners should not be granted Pakistan visa by Pakistani missions abroad without the approval of Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, the spokesman pointed out that it would be premature and inappropriate to declare the US citizen Barrett as a spy. Past history of Barrett in relation to his arrest in 2011 did not carry charges of espionage. The spokesman also called for not linking Barrett’s case with Raymod Davis case. “The two have no links and connection at all,” asserted the spokesman.

A report submitted on 31st January 2012 by DIG. (Inspection) from the inspector general of prisons, Punjab, Lahore (HRC No. 29261-G/2011 application by Binosche Khan Barrett s/o Abdul Rehman, House No. 346, Street No. 16, G-8/1, Islamabad), said, "It is submitted that on receipt of directions, superintendent Central Jail, Rawalpindi was directed to enquire the matter and submit report. As per report, husband of applicant/American national Mathew Barrett s/o Micheal Barrett was admitted in Central Jail Rawalpindi 12.06.11 on judicial remand being involved in the following cases: FIR No. 67 dated 14.5.2011 U/S 14 Foreigner Act 186/123-A PPC P/S Bahthar district Attock; FIR No. 143 dated 10.06.2011 U/S 14 Foreigner Act P/S Golra Sharif, Islamabad.

It is further submitted that husband of applicant/American national in question was in jail in case FIR No. 67/2011 P/S Bahthar Attock by the orders of learned court of Ch Basit Aleem, Judicial Magistrate Sec-30, Fateh Jang on 12.07.2011. He was also in jail in case FIR No. 143/2011 P/S Golra Sharif Islamabad by the orders of learned court of Kashif Qayyum, Judicial Magistrate Sec-30, Islamabad on 20.07.2011. As per record provided by Islamabad Police, prisoner in question had been blacklisted and his visa cancellation orders were issued with the request to Special Branch to ensure departure of the said US national from Pakistan within 15 days vide Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad letter dated 20.05.2011 and 10.06.2011, respectively.

It is further submitted that after being granted bail in the above cases by the concerned learned courts, the US national in question was detained in the jail as an internee for a period of three months w.e.f 20.07.2011 by the order of government of Punjab, Home Department, Lahore vide letter No. SO (IS-I) 2-159/2011 dated 21.07.2011 and in compliance with the said orders he was kept in the jail as an internee.

It is further submitted that husband of applicant/US national prisoner was released from Central Jail, Rawalpindi on 13.10.2011 by the order of government of Punjab, Home Department, Lahore vide letter No. SO (IS-I) 2-159/2011 dated 13.10.2011.

Moreover, during confinement in jail he was dealt in accordance with law and all facilities admissible under the rules were extended to him. The allegations of torture could not gain satisfaction from any corner and stood unproved." 

- Originally appeared in The News

 

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