Pak ‘concerned’ over US 9/11 law

Pakistan, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday “noted with concern” a new US law that allows Americans to sue foreign countries that “aids and abets” acts of terrorism on US soil.

US Congress in a historic vote on September 28 overturned President Barack Obama’s veto to pass the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), informally known as the 9/11 law, which has been primarily drafted with Saudi Arabia in mind as most of the 9/11 attackers were Saudi citizens. The Obama administration had argued that the law would undermine the principle of sovereign immunity and open up the United States itself to unending lawsuits.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said: “We have noted with concern the overturning of the US Presidential veto on JASTA, a law passed by US Congress aimed at targeting sovereign states. Many countries across Europe and in the Middle East have also expressed similar concern over JASTA.”  Pakistan has expressed anguish over adoption of a domestic legislation with extra-territorial application, it said. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia historically have enjoyed deep ties based on their common geopolitical interests. There is a large number of expatriate 

Pakistani workers in the Kingdom.