ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the United States government to remove Pakistan from the list of 14 countries, whose citizens will undergo enhanced security checks at the airports across the world.

Talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain, the Prime Minister expressed serious reservations on the new security measures introduced by the US government for Pakistani nationals and termed it discriminatory.

Gilani said such policies cause consternation and anxiety among the people of Pakistan and said their continuity could negatively impact the bilateral ties.

The Prime Minister expressed concerns over the delay in reimbursement of the mounting outstanding amount on account of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan which by December last year had crossed the limit of US$ 2 billion.

He said this inordinate delay in receipt of payments from the United States was affecting its campaign against terrorism. He stressed that the disbursement issue of CSF Fund must not be linked with any other issue and the overdue payments to Pakistan must be made on fast-track basis.

The Prime Minister underlined the need for the provision of greater market access to Pakistan under GSP Plus arrangements, use of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and other US mechanisms for encouraging its investors to invest in various sectors.

He reiterated his government’s disappointment over the continuing drone attacks and persisting reluctance of the US to share drone technology with Pakistan to enable it to take on the terror centers in its border areas itself.

Senator John McCain paid tribute to the Prime Minister and the government of Pakistan for their resolute and steadfast commitment against the evil forces of terrorism and lauded Pakistan Armed Forces’ successes in the Malakand and South Waziristan operations.

He clarified that his statement in Kabul yesterday about drone attacks had been misquoted by the press and he would like Pakistan and US sides to discuss and resolve this irritant at the earliest so that the cordial and strategic relationship between the two countries could be further strengthened.

Senator Joseph Lieberman who is the Chairman of Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee of the US Senate, agreed with the Prime Minister on the negative fallout of the new security measures introduced by the US for screening Pakistani citizens besides other countries and stated that he himself was skeptical about the usefulness of these measures.
He assured the Prime Minister that he would take up this issue in the next meeting of his Committee, soon after the US Congress reconvenes its session later this month.

The US Senate delegation also promised their complete support towards the resolution of CSF reimbursement and economic assistance issues with Pakistan and assured the Prime Minister that the US will persist in its policy of maintaining the longterm strategic partnership with Pakistan.