Pakistan

US diplomat arrested outside Rawalpindi

He was released later on the request of the interior ministry.

Express May 15, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

A US diplomat, arrested by security agencies on the outskirts of Rawalpindi on Saturday for suspicious behavior, was later released by the officials on the request of the interior ministry.

The American diplomat, purportedly called Matthew Bennett, was found near Fateh Jang by ISI and MI personnel who had been watching him for a while.

He was found taking photographs in an area which, according to officials and locals, served as a secret passage for the transportation of sensitive materials to the Khan Research Laboratories at Kahuta.

The area also serves as the transit route and the entry and gathering point for Nato supplies to Afghanistan.

The diplomat was taken to an unidentified location for further investigations by the security personnel.

Officials told The Express Tribune that they recovered advanced gadgets from him, including night-vision goggles, laptop, transmitter and a digital camera. He was later released after officials from interior ministry brought the required documents with them.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (9)

abdur.rahman khan swati | 12 years ago | Reply its tottally fabricated false story.the responssible will have to face the courts see calrification the news daily..............................................................

Usman Malik | 12 years ago | Reply Why would he want to take photographs himself anyway? In present circumstances you can just hire someone inside Pakistan to do that dirty work for you!

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Qaisrani | 12 years ago | Reply Let me revisit the history, for the attention of Khalid Rahim & MSKHAN. Back in /around 12th century, Chengez Khan sent his diplomats to Alauddin Khwarezmshah (the Muslim emperor of what is now Central Asia) to protest against looting /killing of the members of his traders' Carvan within the territories of Khwarezmshah. When the diplomats or Eilchis appeared before King Alauddin Khwarezmshah and submitted the request, the King became furious and remarked in such words, " how a highwayman & petty robber like Timochin could gather courage to send diplomats or Eilchis to me, the mighty emperor, and lodge protest...". In his rage & furiosity, Khwarezmshah got Chengez Khan's diplomats humiliated and some of them executed. What happened next is history and most of us have read it.

Chilli | 12 years ago | Reply These events are just meant for fooling citizens and make them beleive that their agencies are protecting Pakistan's interests and assets. In contrast they are having party with CIA and eating funds without any audit.

MSKHAN | 12 years ago | Reply @Ashraf R: Ashraf, for an individual as yourself I understand why you are surprised. Why would an individual take photographs of sensitive locations when you can simply check it on a program like google earth. But you must understand that on Google Earth you have access to limited information, mostly a visual reference of the structure and the area. However if certain elements want to acquire additional information (especially of a sensitive location like Kahuta which is the heart of Pakistans nuclear research facility), additional information such as number of security personnel, their status of alertness, their shift rotations, which areas of the compound are more closely guarded, what kind of weapons they are armed with etc..., then they will use individuals who are experienced in collecting that kind of information and furthermore the equipment that is needed to collect that kind of information is the exact same equipment that this individual has been caught with.

Ashraf R | 12 years ago | Reply @Khalid Rahim: Did you say "Your Cheating Heart"? Oh, that's simple - Pasha & Kayani.

Khalid Rahim | 12 years ago | Reply @Ashraf R: Or is it Ashrawnati Ram? How noble of you to inform us that Google can provide data on Kahuta. Do you like the song '' Your Cheating Heart " I forget who it was sung by, could you let me know.

Ahmer Ali | 12 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.As usual this drama shall continue for few months and in the last like Raymond Davis this US diplomat shall be released by using the exemption and immunity for diplomats especially US diplomats because Pakistani beggars and slaves leaders don't have courage to protect Pakistan's,Pakistan's precious assets and Pakistani nation from foreign interference especially by USA.

Ashraf R | 12 years ago | Reply Why would anybody want to take photos of Kahuta? They can just use Google Earth. These are actions of a desperate Pakistan pretending to be outraged because their cheating ways have been exposed. They should stop making it more embarrassing that it already is.

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