ISLAMABAD:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly dismissed reports fromIndian media outlets that attempted to portray a man arrested in the UnitedStates for illegal possession of a machine gun as a Pakistani national,emphasizing that the individual is, in fact, an Afghan citizen. Thisclarification was issued on Thursday by Foreign Office Spokesperson TahirHussain Andrabi, who addressed the misinformation circulating in variousIndian publications. The reports had sought to establish a connectionbetween the suspect and Pakistan, potentially aiming to stoke diplomatictensions between the two neighboring countries.
According to Andrabi, the arrested individual, identified as 25-year-oldLuqmaan Khan from Wilmington, Delaware, has spent the majority of his lifein the United States and only briefly resided in Pakistan as an Afghanmigrant. “Luqmaan Khan is an Afghan national who has spent most of his lifein the United States,” Andrabi stated during a press briefing. He urgedmedia organizations to verify facts before publishing stories that couldexacerbate misunderstandings or fuel unnecessary controversies. Thespokesperson highlighted that such unsubstantiated claims not onlymisrepresent the facts but also undermine efforts toward regional stability.
The incident in question stems from Khan’s arrest on November 24 by USauthorities. As detailed by the US Attorney’s Office, police and federalagents conducted a search of Khan’s vehicle following his resistance toarrest. The search uncovered a loaded .357-caliber handgun equipped with aconversion-brace kit, several extended magazines, a ballistic plate, and anotebook containing a sketched layout labeled “UD Police Station.” Khanfaces charges related to the illegal possession of a machine gun, a seriousoffense under US federal law. Officials have not disclosed further motivesor connections at this stage, but the discovery of these items has raisedconcerns about potential threats to public safety.
This episode underscores the broader issue of media sensationalism,particularly in the context of South Asian geopolitics. Indian media’shaste in linking the suspect to Pakistan without concrete evidence reflectsa pattern observed in previous instances, where narratives are constructedto align with nationalistic sentiments. Analysts suggest that suchreporting could be influenced by ongoing bilateral frictions, includingdisputes over Kashmir and cross-border terrorism allegations. Pakistan hasconsistently called for responsible journalism that prioritizes accuracyover agenda-driven storytelling.
In response to these developments, diplomatic circles in Islamabad haveexpressed hope that international partners, including the United States,will recognize the factual inaccuracies and prevent any spillover effectson bilateral relations. The US, as a key ally in counterterrorism efforts,maintains close cooperation with both Pakistan and Afghanistan, andincidents like this highlight the need for clear communication channels.Pakistani officials have reiterated their commitment to assisting in globalsecurity matters while safeguarding their nationals from unwarrantedassociations.
The clarification from the Foreign Office also serves as a reminder of thechallenges faced by Afghan migrants and refugees, many of whom have soughtrefuge in Pakistan over decades due to conflict in their homeland. Withmillions of Afghans having passed through or settled in Pakistan,distinguishing nationalities accurately is crucial to avoid stigmatization.Khan’s brief stay in Pakistan as a migrant does not alter his Afghancitizenship, as confirmed by official records.
As investigations proceed in the US, attention remains on the legalproceedings against Khan. The case involves federal charges that couldresult in significant penalties, including imprisonment. Authorities areexamining the notebook’s contents for any indications of planned actionsagainst law enforcement facilities, though no immediate threats have beenreported.
This incident also prompts reflection on gun control laws in the UnitedStates, where illegal possession of automatic weapons is strictly regulatedunder the National Firearms Act. The recovery of conversion kits, which canmodify handguns to function as machine guns, points to ongoing concernsabout black market arms proliferation.
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Pakistan’s prompt response to the media reports demonstrates its proactivestance in countering disinformation. By providing factual details, theForeign Office aims to set the record straight and foster a more informedpublic discourse. As regional dynamics evolve, such clarifications play avital role in maintaining trust among nations.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1876543
Source: https://mofa.gov.pk/press-release-on-us-arrest-clarification
Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, USA
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