PAKPAC criticizes US for SRK detention

Washington, Aug 21: A Pakistani-American group has criticized US authorities for detaining famous Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan at Newark International airport last week.

A statement issued by the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) said that after the 9/11 terror attacks 'lawful' Muslim travelers were being unnecessarily subjected to 'unfair' inspections and interrogations.

"Since the terrorist attacks, lawful Muslim travelers have extensively been subjected to unfair inspections, intrusive secondary searches, excessive questioning based on their names and ethnicity," The Nation quoted the statement, as saying.

"The PAKPAC believes that profiling people based on their race, religion, and origin is wrong and not the appropriate use of resources," the statement added.

It said that the PAKPAC has already brought to attention the futility of interrogation procedures at US airports during various meetings with the Transport Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security officials.

Khan was detained for about two hours on Saturday morning at the airport in New Jersey, USA, where he had arrived to attend a South Asian related event.

Khan was released after Congress MP Rajiv Shukla spoke to the authorities in the US and the Indian consulate.

He was detained after his name flashed on a computer and was asked several questions about the purpose of his visit.

ANI