Pakistani court may ban extension plan for US embassy in Islamabad
A view of Pakistans Supreme Court
Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:49AM GMT
Pakistans Supreme Court has received a petition to prohibit an extension plan for the US embassy in Islamabad over risks of espionage and security concerns, Press TV reports.
The petition has requested the Supreme Court to order Capital Development Authority (CDA) to repudiate the US embassys new construction plan, saying the building may be used for spying, and it incorporates security risks for the surrounding area.
The US embassy is located in Islamabads Red Zone, where many of Pakistans key governmental offices are located.
The petition comes in the wake of a letter by Pakistans intelligence agency to the CDA, which described the new construction plan as a security hazard, and expressed fears that movements and activities in important buildings -- including the presidential palace, prime ministers residence and the parliament house -- could be easily monitored from the rooftop of the US complex.
The letter also criticized the CDA for giving the go-ahead for the construction of the 7-storey structure in the diplomatic enclave and urged the body to reconsider its decision.
In June 2011, the Pakistani government imposed travel restrictions on US diplomats in the country, forcing them to get a No Objection Certificate before leaving Islamabad for any other cities.
Pakistani experts believe that violence in the northwest of the country has decreased after the government limited the movements of the Pakistan-based US officials.
The experts say most of American diplomats traveling across Pakistan without legal documents are agents of the US spy agency, the CIA, which they say is trying to destabilize the Asian country.
MS/ASH/GHN/MA
PressTV - Pakistani court may ban extension plan for US embassy in Islamabad
A view of Pakistans Supreme Court
Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:49AM GMT
Pakistans Supreme Court has received a petition to prohibit an extension plan for the US embassy in Islamabad over risks of espionage and security concerns, Press TV reports.
The petition has requested the Supreme Court to order Capital Development Authority (CDA) to repudiate the US embassys new construction plan, saying the building may be used for spying, and it incorporates security risks for the surrounding area.
The US embassy is located in Islamabads Red Zone, where many of Pakistans key governmental offices are located.
The petition comes in the wake of a letter by Pakistans intelligence agency to the CDA, which described the new construction plan as a security hazard, and expressed fears that movements and activities in important buildings -- including the presidential palace, prime ministers residence and the parliament house -- could be easily monitored from the rooftop of the US complex.
The letter also criticized the CDA for giving the go-ahead for the construction of the 7-storey structure in the diplomatic enclave and urged the body to reconsider its decision.
In June 2011, the Pakistani government imposed travel restrictions on US diplomats in the country, forcing them to get a No Objection Certificate before leaving Islamabad for any other cities.
Pakistani experts believe that violence in the northwest of the country has decreased after the government limited the movements of the Pakistan-based US officials.
The experts say most of American diplomats traveling across Pakistan without legal documents are agents of the US spy agency, the CIA, which they say is trying to destabilize the Asian country.
MS/ASH/GHN/MA
PressTV - Pakistani court may ban extension plan for US embassy in Islamabad