Pakistan concerned at overturning of presidential veto on 9/11 lawsuits bill

Legislation allows families of 9/11 victims to sue countries such as Saudi Arabia for alleged backing of attackers

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern at the overturning of the Unites States Presidential veto on the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA).

The legislation allows the families of September 11 victims to sue countries such as Saudi Arabia for alleged backing of attackers.

"We have noted with concern the overturning of the US Presidential veto on JASTA, a law passed by US Congress aimed at targeting sovereign states.  Many countries across Europe and in the Middle East have also expressed similar concern over JASTA.  Pakistan had earlier also expressed anguish over the adoption of a domestic legislation with extra-territorial application," the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan had earlier also expressed anguish over the adoption of domestic legislation. "In his address to the 71st United Nations General Assembly Session, the prime minister had underscored that terrorism is a global phenomenon, which must be addressed comprehensively in all its forms, and that the international community must coordinate its efforts to accomplish this," the FO added.

The prime minister had emphasised that these efforts should be taken collectively and not unilaterally through the passage of any laws with extra-territorial application targeting certain countries.