Barrett’s in-laws related to PTI senator
Despite sharing ties with Barrett’s in-laws, Azam Swati had offered reward to FIA officer
Matthew Craig Barrett. PHOTO: INP
ISLAMABAD:
The in-laws of a blacklisted US citizen who is facing deportation are related to a PTI senator, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Interestingly, the lawmaker had announced a cash reward for the official who first detected the American’s illegal immigration into Pakistan earlier this month.
Blacklisted American to be deported from Pakistan for second time
Matthew Craig Barrett, who was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police from an Islamabad guest house on August 6, is the son-in-law of Advocate Abdul Rahman Swati.
The lawyer and rights activist hails from Balakot in Mansehra, the same area as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Azam Khan Swati. Furthermore, the two belong to the same clan and share some family ties.
Barret had married the lawyer’s daughter Binosche Khan in 2008 and the two have a son and daughter together, though they live in the US.
His in-laws told The Express Tribune Barret had converted to Islam before marrying Binosche and that his Muslim name was Daniel Khan. However, he has not changed his name on official documents.
The American had been first arrested in and deported from Pakistan in 2011 on the directives of the Supreme Court for suspicious activities near sensitive installations in Fateh Jang.
‘Black listed’ American national sent on 3-day remand
He was subsequently blacklisted by the government though he was not charged under sections dealing with espionage.
Barret, however, managed to secure a five-year multiple entry visa to Pakistan from the Pakistani consulate in Houston earlier this year.
His in-laws explained that in 2011 Barrett was trying to visit them in Jahangira, Swabi but he lost his way and ended up near some sensitive security installations in Fateh Jang which prompted intelligence sleuths to investigate him. They deemed his movements suspicious ultimately leading to his arrest and deportation.
Barrett’s in-laws further added that upon his return to the country on August 6, he first visited them in Islamabad. But since there were a number of purdah-observing women at their home, they arranged accommodations for him at a guest house. That is where FIA and police officials later picked him up.
Azam’s reward turned down
Azam sent a cheque to the interior ministry worth Rs100,000 to be awarded to Fahad Qayyum, the in charge of Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
Blacklisted US ‘spy’ arrested in Islamabad
It was Qayyum who had first detected that Barrett had entered the country despite being on the blacklist and alerted authorities.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, however, politely returned the cheque thanking Azam for his sentiments. Instead, Qayyum was rewarded from the national exchequer.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2016.
The in-laws of a blacklisted US citizen who is facing deportation are related to a PTI senator, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Interestingly, the lawmaker had announced a cash reward for the official who first detected the American’s illegal immigration into Pakistan earlier this month.
Blacklisted American to be deported from Pakistan for second time
Matthew Craig Barrett, who was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police from an Islamabad guest house on August 6, is the son-in-law of Advocate Abdul Rahman Swati.
The lawyer and rights activist hails from Balakot in Mansehra, the same area as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Azam Khan Swati. Furthermore, the two belong to the same clan and share some family ties.
Barret had married the lawyer’s daughter Binosche Khan in 2008 and the two have a son and daughter together, though they live in the US.
His in-laws told The Express Tribune Barret had converted to Islam before marrying Binosche and that his Muslim name was Daniel Khan. However, he has not changed his name on official documents.
The American had been first arrested in and deported from Pakistan in 2011 on the directives of the Supreme Court for suspicious activities near sensitive installations in Fateh Jang.
‘Black listed’ American national sent on 3-day remand
He was subsequently blacklisted by the government though he was not charged under sections dealing with espionage.
Barret, however, managed to secure a five-year multiple entry visa to Pakistan from the Pakistani consulate in Houston earlier this year.
His in-laws explained that in 2011 Barrett was trying to visit them in Jahangira, Swabi but he lost his way and ended up near some sensitive security installations in Fateh Jang which prompted intelligence sleuths to investigate him. They deemed his movements suspicious ultimately leading to his arrest and deportation.
Barrett’s in-laws further added that upon his return to the country on August 6, he first visited them in Islamabad. But since there were a number of purdah-observing women at their home, they arranged accommodations for him at a guest house. That is where FIA and police officials later picked him up.
Azam’s reward turned down
Azam sent a cheque to the interior ministry worth Rs100,000 to be awarded to Fahad Qayyum, the in charge of Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
Blacklisted US ‘spy’ arrested in Islamabad
It was Qayyum who had first detected that Barrett had entered the country despite being on the blacklist and alerted authorities.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, however, politely returned the cheque thanking Azam for his sentiments. Instead, Qayyum was rewarded from the national exchequer.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 18th, 2016.