Reports claim that on Wednesday, Mr. Jaison Berger, Security Officer of the US Consulate Lahore, visited Faisalabad to check and inspect security arrangements for a US delegation’s scheduled visit to the city on September 13.
While visiting different areas of the city, Berger reached the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), a centre of nuclear research working under the direct command of the PAEC.
Police staff and officials on duty stopped the US national at the gate after receiving orders from their superiors at a provincial and national level. The officials requested him to steer clear of the area which was not included in the US delegation’s scheduled plan but Berger refused to acquiesce.
After a heated debate between the US official and security agencies including NIBGE commandos, Berger was forced to leave the site. Following the incident, the official abruptly cut short his visit and headed for Lahore.
Following the tense encounter, sensitive agency personnel and Faisalabad police took up the matter seriously and sent SOS reports to officials concerned about Berger’s attempt to force entry.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2011.
COMMENTS (51)
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Funny, like many have pointed out...if this is a biotech institute, why is everyone talking about nuclear facility...are they running nuclear facility in garb of biotech institute...:) And yes, does US need permission in this country? if it wants to do something...They will just do it and will tell Zardari over phone call that they did it...and rubbles should not be shown to Chinese or else....:) Enjoy the treatment.!!!
@I own Karachi: Its very simple !! They get shot dead!!!!! Then its not a newsworthy item!!!
I wonder what happen to an ordinary Pakistani citizen if he/she tries to breach the Security check-post at the Research Center.
There will be further stories that will surface that will make most of the comments here seem like playground childish bully talk. The lack of common sense and logic is baffling!
So Mr. CIA, as many of you seem to think, tries to enter through the front door??? You guys are ridiculous....that's all I can say.
Now let's see if any of you have the guts to correct your comments once the real story materializes that he simply was doing his job.
There are such people as REAL consulate staff doing REAL jobs! But in the land of conspiracies, everything is up for a spiced up story!
What a lot of Nonsense from all the Ghairat Commentators here!!! Believe me, if Uncle Sam wanted to enter any of these facilities, they would not have seeked permission !!!! They would just have sent in a team of Seals in the dark and got whatever they wanted !!!! Remember OBL, & How US dealt with him !!!!!
Probably another NOC CIA operative. Shouldn't have asked him to back off. Should have thrown him behind the bars.
Gd work by the guards, there are many more incidents like this but rarely reported, i am glad at least this one got reported. We should encourage and appreciate the guards to boost there morals.
@Bangash:
You never fail to amuse me. "DIPLOMAT" lol. Even it was an empty plot, owner of that property has a right to refuse entry to anyone. In many US states one has a right to shoot a tress passer even if that person is in the yard or lawn of the house and has not tried to enter the actual building. This RIGHT has been exercised many times, if you read US news papers.
Arrogance brings shame. When will the US officials realize that?
This country deserves heroes like these who still have the courage to stand up for sovereignty .
@Bangash: Thousands of our civilians and armed personnel have indeed stopped and thwarted terrorists. Now all the anti state cowards can do is attack unarmed civilians in bazaars, attack mosques and girls schools to please their foreign masters. I am proud of our security personnel because talk is cheaper than action and they have not only showed in their actions that they are protecting the public but they have died giving the ultimate sacrifice. Getting back to so called diplomats which are pushing their way into sensitive areas, tell me where such behaviour is considered "diplomatic"? Three cheers for the Pakistani security forces who make foreigners follow the laws of the land!
Can't stop real terrorists so just harass diplomats instead.
What if a Pakistani official tried this stunt at a USA nuclear facility? Do you think the Americans will even bother having a "heated argument"?
Imagine if a Pakistani official had tried to force himself into a sensitive area of an American facility. They would have shot him on site. I am proud that our forces responded with firm restraint and maintained our nation's dignity in the face of another attempted humiliation of our sovereignty.
an eye opener to those who still think that this "DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT", who has come in power with NRO, 46% bogus votes and fake degrees, should complete it's accursed tenure. "HAKUMAT HATAO MULK BACHAO" is the only solution to these problems....
Did he try to scale a wall and jump inside? Or did he try to force his entry through machine gun?
He went and asked the security guards to let in. The same way we do in so many offices. The security guy refused to let him because he was white. Now what is the reason to shout jingoistic slogans and asking for the head for the 'CIA' guy? Cmon, we Pakistanis are known for our paranoia, but, this is stretching a bit far !
@Zalim Singh: oohh poor singh... u jus try dem once...
The name doesn't sound that sensitise unless that's a cover for genetically engineered super-soldiers factory.
@RizwanTKhan:
Yeah! You and what army?
@Abdul Rehman Gilani:
If US wants to eliminate Pakistan’s nuclear program all it has to do was to fire missiles from its distant missile sites and that will be it. Sneaking a singel person in is not needed for this and is neither practical.
It’s best to use some sense sometimes rather than always use nawa-e-waqt type illogical logic all the time.
@Cautious: I would give you the same suggestion to grow up and call spade a spade ... Can't you see the article says delegation was not visiting the facility or that particular area or is Mr Jaison so incompetent that he can't do his job properly and go roaming around the city while on duty? I dont think so ... Professionals don't work like that .. You plan always what you have to do .. He knew very well how long he was going out for .. which areas he was going to and which routes he was going to take to get there. You come here every day but keeping a grudge in your heart ... I would suggest to clear your mind before commenting.
phew, he would have found out that Pakistani nukes are fake.
@syed: "The officials requested him to steer clear of the area which was not included in the US delegation’s scheduled plan but Berger refused to acquiesce" You need to read the article again ... or should ET write this sentence in bold .. He knew clearly the delegation isn't taking that route or visiting NIBGE then why did he knock on NIBGE doors? But again the problem is with us ... These security officers shouldn't be allowed to roam around on their own just like Raymond ... Why can't GoP have some military personnel with them for their own safety as every one knows we no longer live in 1990s. If visiting delegation of Americans need security arrangements then those contractors and security officers working in Embassy are also American and need protection.
Americans can do anything they want and they should, its their right, coz we have sold our souls to them many times over...
Well the guy missed chance to have Royal treatment in Pakistani jail just like Raymond Davis by not killing few of the commandos there...
The security people must have been insane. How dare they stop an American to enter the Research institute. We were ready to give Dr Qadeer to them. And working in 'close collaboration' to kill our own people to please them.... Hurrah
isn't this Berger chap the same man who used his security vehicle to get RD picked up from queens road after he killed those two motorcyclists??? the security people at the gate should have just arrested him then and there for this "attempted" forced entry.
And how exectly did the media get hold of this sensitive information ? was the media following the US official or has this been fed to the media by ISPR?
how dare he why was he not arrested and deported immediately
Grow up -- he's assigned security to a USA Congressional delegation who are scheduled to take a tour of the facility which has been cleared with your govt -- no one is sneaking in and no one is going to steal anything. He's doing his job.
Vienna,08-09-2011 It is interesting. National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering or Nuclear Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering? The incident has helped to confirm the nature of the institute.Positive or negative answer do give out information for CIA,which has changed office into the Pentagon and Pentagon has gone civil into Langley CIA headquarters. Is not confusion is weapon of war? Friendship or enmity is the QUESTION.The answer is clear for now.My Pakistani friends are getting tickled you see. Partners are indeed to be taken as enemies when they are set to cheat each other. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
it was probably a dry run: a test to see how easy it is to enter these type of facilities. he must have been satisfied and must have told Obama how strong our security is :D
he should have been treated with respect because he is citizen of super power.
We can't let these "security" guys roam around like this. PERIOD! I salute the soldiers who stopped him from entering the facility. At least they don't put their heads down when an intruder tries to enter the place they are guarding, unlike our ruling elite!
Why the special treatment? Should have been dealt according to law i.e. arrested and let the court decide. Let the rule of law prevail otherwise it would be difficult for our security forces to perform their duties. If threatened then shoot first and ask questions later! Lets put our foot down.
he should have been shot dead, giving a clear message to anyone attempting to sabotage Pakistani nuclear programe. such casual attitude of Pakistani authorities would only encourage the terrorists and their sympethisers.
He should have shot the security personal for not obeying..he would have been freed anyway just like reymond davis!
Must be an aid worker distributing sewing machines and wheelchairs.
Berger had no right to enter any building in Pakistan without seeking permission. Pakistanis should have kicked him for trying to enter by force.
This man should have been arrested and presented in the court for trying to breach the security arrangements of the organisation
Atleast someone is awake!
doesnot matter, ISPR says we are working in very close n sucessful collaboration with our best buddies CIA... so what that the frens take away our nukes.... our ISPR believes we ll get back whenever needed, after all a friend in need is a friend indeed
Should have thrown this undercover CIA agent to jail.