Imran detention played up for political reasons: Hoagland

Says in principle, nobody is ever stopped from entering the United States for their political beliefs.


Iftikhar Firdous November 02, 2012

PESHAWAR:


Imran Khan’s recent detention in Toronto by US authorities was used for political mileage by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, said the US Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Hoagland in a talk with a select group of journalists on Thursday.


Hoagland said, “A lot of the story that went out was not very accurate, but played up for political purposes.”

He added that in principle nobody is ever stopped from entering the United States for their political beliefs.

Furthermore, Hoagland said counter-terrorism was most important in US-Pak relations.

“The sooner we contain terrorists the more peaceful the methods (of counter-terrorism) will become,” Hoagland said.

“The Strategic Pause” an interim period of a difficult relationship between both the countries was now paving way for a “more mature but restrained relationship” based on diplomatic, military and intelligence sharing, said the US diplomat.

Elections in the US

The US diplomat added that no matter who won the US presidential elections, there would be “no pendulum swing in foreign policy.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2012.

COMMENTS (55)

Sameer | 11 years ago | Reply

Mr. Hoagland has no idea what he is talking about. I found his statements completely vague and out of context,and an attempted facesaving in wake of the embarassing situation the US & Canadian authorities find themselves in now. Would he like to answer if it was not drones Imran was questioned about and detained, than was it the SandyThunderstorm hitting various US states, discussed with him,why was he allowed to proceed to US,then why was he allowed to attend a number of fund raisers, which they have been doing for past several years, if as claimed by Mr.Hoagland was illegal.Come on Mr.Hoagland give it a break, u r not making sense, by shifting blames here and there.

Sameer - London

Farhan | 11 years ago | Reply

Fact is that American authorities slipped. IK encashed. Why not ? More power to you Mr Khan. Stay firm - its an uphill climb but you need to take the game to next level...without fear of loss.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ