Imran Khan is 'welcome' in the US: State Department
Spokesperson Mark Toner says they do not want "any legitimate traveler delayed for no reason."
WASHINGTON:
The US on Wednesday said that politician Imran Khan "is welcome" in the United States even though he was briefly held by immigration agents in Canada.
"We are aware that he was detained briefly in Toronto before boarding his flight to the United States," acting State Department spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters when asked about Khan's questioning last week.
But he disputed allegations that Khan was held and interrogated for hours over his stance on drone attacks and position on the Taliban as he tried to board a New York-bound plane from the Canadian city.
"My understanding is that the issue was quickly resolved and that he traveled into the United States, and certainly he is welcome in the United States," Toner said.
Khan was headed to New York to attend a fundraiser organised by his party.
"I was taken off from plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views on drones. My stance is known. Drone attacks must stop," he had written on Twitter.
Khan argues drone strikes are illegal and counterproductive and earlier this month he led thousands of supporters - and a group of American peace activists - on a march to the edge of Pakistan's restive tribal districts to protest them.
Toner said he did not know "the specifics" of why Khan was held, but added: "I would just say that we certainly don't want any legitimate traveler delayed for no reason."
Imran Khan returned to Pakistan early Thursday morning. Speaking to the media at Rawalpindi air port, he criticised the government for staying silent on its citizen being mistreated.
The US on Wednesday said that politician Imran Khan "is welcome" in the United States even though he was briefly held by immigration agents in Canada.
"We are aware that he was detained briefly in Toronto before boarding his flight to the United States," acting State Department spokesperson Mark Toner told reporters when asked about Khan's questioning last week.
But he disputed allegations that Khan was held and interrogated for hours over his stance on drone attacks and position on the Taliban as he tried to board a New York-bound plane from the Canadian city.
"My understanding is that the issue was quickly resolved and that he traveled into the United States, and certainly he is welcome in the United States," Toner said.
Khan was headed to New York to attend a fundraiser organised by his party.
"I was taken off from plane and interrogated by US Immigration in Canada on my views on drones. My stance is known. Drone attacks must stop," he had written on Twitter.
Khan argues drone strikes are illegal and counterproductive and earlier this month he led thousands of supporters - and a group of American peace activists - on a march to the edge of Pakistan's restive tribal districts to protest them.
Toner said he did not know "the specifics" of why Khan was held, but added: "I would just say that we certainly don't want any legitimate traveler delayed for no reason."
Imran Khan returned to Pakistan early Thursday morning. Speaking to the media at Rawalpindi air port, he criticised the government for staying silent on its citizen being mistreated.