Pakistan concerned about new US terrorism act

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern with the overriding of U.S. President Barack Obama's veto of a bill allowing families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia.

Last week's vote handed Obama the first veto override during his nearly eight-year presidency, dealing a blow to the White House and highlighting the administration's waning sway over Congress during Obama's last months in office.

The bill, named Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), now becomes law despite the fierce opposition from the Obama Administration.

Many lawmakers are reluctant to oppose a bill supported by families of the Sept. 11 attacks victims, as the election is just over a month away.

"We have noted with concern the overturning of the U.S. Presidential veto on JASTA, a law passed by U.S. Congress aimed at targeting sovereign states," the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

"Many countries across Europe and in the Middle East have also expressed similar concern over JASTA," a statement said.

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 348-77 to override the veto issued by Obama last week, hours after the Senate voted in favor of the override.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry also referred to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's address to the 71st United Nations General Assembly Session.

Sharif had underscored that terrorism is a global phenomenon which must be addressed comprehensively in all forms, and that the international community must coordinate its efforts to accomplish this.

He emphasized that these efforts should be taken collectively and not unilaterally by the passage of any laws with extra-territorial application, targeted against certain countries. Endit