US troop deployment at embassy concerns Pak MPs

Press TV

Sat, 15 Aug 2009

Pakistan's mainstream opposition parties have strongly protested the possible deployment of 2000 US troops at the American embassy based in the capital Islamabad.

The lawmakers from opposition parties sought clarification from the Pakistan People's Party led government about the issue, however, the government has not responded, a Press TV correspondent reported late Saturday.

Speaking during a parliament session a lawmaker from Pakistan's Muslim League Q -- Rasheed Akbar said that the news regarding the deployment of 2000 US troops at its embassy in Islamabad has appeared in the press and the issue was also raised in the lower house of parliament.

He said that the deployment of troops in a great number by another country in Pakistan is a matter of concern, but the government has remained silent on the issue.

All this comes at a time when the US embassy in Pakistan is all set to expand its embassy staff in Islamabad.

This is while the US embassy in Islamabad has said that the government of Pakistan is fully aware of the embassy expansion program.

"Every thing is transparent and in the knowledge of the Pakistan government and especially the Foreign Office here in Islamabad as every American staff member, including the marines have to apply for a visa to come to Pakistan," Deputy Chief of the US mission Gerald M. Feierstein told reporters on Wednesday.

US officials say that due to an increase in aid to Pakistan under a Kerry-Lugar Bill which will be 1.5 billion dollars per year, the US embassy needs more staff and personnel to deal with increasing work in this regard.

Currently about 250 Americans work at the embassy and over 1,000 Pakistani staff members are also employed.