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Pakistan arrests "blacklisted" U.S. national

Xinhua, August 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pakistani authorities have arrested a U.S. national who was blacklisted few years ago but arrived in the country on Saturday, the Interior Ministry said.

Matthew Barrett was expelled from Pakistan over his suspicious activities in 2011, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has suspended at least two immigration officials at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport for allowing the blacklisted man to enter Pakistan.

The U.S. national arrived in Islamabad Saturday morning and was staying at a guest house in the capital.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) along with Islamabad Police conducted a raid at the guest house and detained the U.S. national, officials said.

Director of FIA Mazharul Haq Kakakhel led the raid.

According to FIA sources, Matthew Barrett is married to a Pakistani national.

The Interior Ministry has also sought clarification from the Pakistani consulate in Houston of the U.S. for issuing him the visa.

The ministry ordered investigation on whether it was just negligence on the part of the immigration authorities, or if there was any motive behind his entry into Pakistan, the statement said.

An investigation committee of the security officials has been formed to investigate as to how a blacklisted man entered Pakistan. Endit