Pakistani politician bound for Canada denied airline seat:Media reports

Pakistani politician Sheikh Rashid Ahmed
Photo: Facebook Page of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed

ISLAMABAD – There are media reports that a Pakistani opposition politician was denied a seat on a flight bound for Toronto after he turned up on a United States no-fly list.

Some media outlets in Pakistan are reporting that Sheikh Rashid Ahmed failed to get clearance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security when he tried to board a Pakistan International Airlines flight on Friday.

Ahmed is a member of Pakistan’s national assembly.

He is quoted by the Pakistani news website the Daily Times as saying he received a visa from the Canadian government to visit Canada.

The Daily Times reported Ahmed was attending a Pakistan Day celebration in Canada today.

Another website, the Nation, reported he was travelling to Calgary to attend a meeting of his party members.