Such harassment and obstruction is
described by US embassy staff as “deliberate, willful and systematic,”
according to the 76-report by the department’s watchdog, the office of
inspector general.
“Official Pakistani obstructionism and
harassment, an endemic problem in Pakistan, has increased to the point
where it is significantly impairing mission operations and program
implementations,” the report said.
Harassment included such things as
delaying visas for staff, blocking shipments of materials for aid
programs and construction work, and surveillance of staff and
contractors.
The official report, made available
Thursday, comes after a February fact-finding tour of the US diplomatic
missions in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore.
It urged US officials to ensure that the issue of harassment is raised in bilateral talks with the Pakistani government.
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