The United States is about to implement a policy of strict scrutiny on Pakistani Americans visiting Pakistan. They are expected to face tough questioning at U.S. airports from the Department of Homeland Security officials upon their return.
The policy has reportedly been formulated following the botched attempt of Faisal Shahzad, a U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent, to bomb Times Square. Knowledgeable government sources say that Pakistani Americans, particularly between the ages of 18 and 30, visiting Pakistan will face strict scrutiny upon their return. The same sources said Pakistani Americans staying over a month in their country of origin could face questioning in separate rooms at the airport from officials seeking an explanation for their extended stay in Pakistan.
These measures are said to be part of government efforts to detect and arrest anyone who might have received terrorist training in Pakistan. It is learnt that a suspect could be handed over to the FBI if available evidence warrants more investigation. The travel of thousands of Pakistanis to their country of origin could become more difficult if such a policy is adopted at U.S. airports. U.S. National Security Advisor James Jones and CIA Director Leon Panetta briefed the Pakistani leadership about the new measures during a recent visit to Pakistan.
Pakistani-Americans avoiding travel to Pakistan
A separate report in the Pakistan Post, another community newspaper, states that Pakistani Americans are avoiding foreign travel for fear of extensive interviews and scrutiny upon their return at U.S. airports.
The May 27 report, by Post correspondent M. R. Farrukh, indicated that Pakistani Americans are complaining that Faisal Shahzad has put them in a nasty situation, exposing them to be seen and treated as suspects by many within the American society. Some complained of having to endure five- to six-hour interrogations at the airport upon their return from Pakistan. Many Pakistani families say that their next of kin, who planned to visit them this summer, canceled their plans for fear of unusually tough scrutiny of visitors from Pakistan. Many Pakistani students, who have been waiting very long for visas to continue higher education in the United States, are now pursuing admissions to universities in Britain, Australia, Canada and United Arab Emirates. However, the majority of Pakistani Americans still have faith in American values which, they believe, continue to make America the best place to live.
