Blackwater in Pakistan: Intelligence agencies submit report to government

[LahoreEstate]

ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL & SEHRISH WASIF
ISLAMABAD (September 08 2009): The intelligence agencies of Pakistan have provided a detailed report on about 200 houses, acquired by the US Embassy in different areas of the Federal capital, including the houses taken on rent by the Blackwater World-wide, informed sources said here on Monday.

Intelligence sources said that after the issue came into limelight through media reports, the Federal government took serious note of the matter, and the intelligence agencies were assigned the task of collecting data and monitor activities in the houses rented out to Americans.

The report has been submitted to the government, and the agencies are waiting as to what action the Interior Ministry takes on the information provided to it. It maybe recalled that the Interior Minister has repeatedly denied media reports of large scale US staff expansion and acquisition of a large number of rented houses and presence of Blackwater in Pakistan.

According to the sources, the intelligence agencies in their report have presented complete addresses of 200 houses rented out to the US Embassy in Islamabad, and details of people living there as well as their activities. The whistle blowers about the rise in the number of houses, acquired on rent by the Americans were neighbours, who had alerted the officials about the stringent security measures and late night comings and goings of the foreigners.

High officials of Interior Ministry and Foreign Office are holding consultative meetings to evolve a strategy to raise the matter with the US Embassy in Islamabad. Sources said that the Interior Ministry in early 2008 asked the provincial governments to keep an eye on the activities of Blackwater immediately after it was believed to have been hired by CAII.

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