'Concerned' Pak bans US diplomat to from discussing intelligence issues in media

Islamabad, Oct.9 (ANI): Perturbed by the recent remarks of US Deputy Chief of Mission Gerald Feierstein, that top Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders, including the one-eyed Taliban chief Mullah Omar are presently hiding in Quetta, Pakistan has asked the US diplomat to avoid discussing intelligence issues in media.

Sources said Feierstein was summoned by the Foreign Office and was told not to discuss important issues in public.

Chief of Protocol, Ghalib Iqbal, who met Feierstein at the Foreign Office, reportedly told the US diplomat that if there was information regarding the presence of Taliban leaders on Pakistani soil, then it should be shared with the government rather than being discussed in the media.

"Public statements on sensitive issues like countering terrorism, would be tantamount to embarrassing the government," Feierstein was told.

According to the Dawn, Feierstein was also asked to explain the US connection with the recovery of illegal arms from Dutch embassy personnel.

Earlier, Feierstein had said that Washington has credible information that Mullah Omar is in Quetta and 'freely moves across the border and some other major cities of Pakistan, including Karachi.'

Feierstein had also pointed out that there were 'individuals' in Pakistan, who are sympathetic towards Taliban and support its activities. (ANI)