This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-south-asia-14212901

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US charges two for illegal lobbying over Kashmir US charges pair over links to Pakistan spy agency
(about 3 hours later)
US officials have charged two men with illegally lobbying for Pakistan's government and its intelligence agency, the ISI, over the Kashmir dispute. Two US men have been charged in the US with operating an illegal front group for the Pakistani government.
Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, 62, was arrested for failing to register as an agent of a foreign government. Zaheer Ahmad, 63, is charged with recruiting fake donors. The two used at least $4m (£2.5m) in Pakistani funds in a bid to influence the US position on the disputed Kashmir territory, href="http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/July/11-nsd-937.html" >the US said.
US officials say Pakistan spent at least $4m since the mid-1990s lobbying Congress and the White House. Syed Fai, 62, was arrested and charged with failing to register as an agent of a foreign government. Zaheer Ahmad, 63, is charged with recruiting fake donors.
Pakistan denies the charges. Kashmir is at the centre of its row with India.Pakistan denies the charges. Kashmir is at the centre of its row with India.
Both men are US citizens of Pakistani origin. Correspondents say Mr Fai's arrest is likely to worsen already strained relations between Washington and Islamabad. Both men are US citizens of Pakistani origin. Correspondents say the arrest of Mr Fai - who denies the charges - is likely to worsen already strained relations between Washington and Islamabad.
Mr Fai is the executive director of the Kashmiri American Council. "Mr Fai is accused of a decades-long scheme with one purpose - to hide Pakistan's involvement behind his efforts to influence the US government's position on Kashmir," US Attorney Neil MacBride said.
Officials say he donated money to political campaigns, wrote newspaper articles and met White House and state department officials. Separatist denial
"I believe that Fai has received approximately $500,000 to $700,000 per year from the government of Pakistan," FBI agent Sarah Webb Linden said in documents filed in court in Virginia, Associated Press reported. The US said Mr Fai's Pakistani handlers funnelled millions of dollars from the country's intelligence agency, the ISI, through a front group, Kashmiri American Council.
The group contributed money to US election campaigns, fund conferences and other efforts, including meeting with White House and state department officials, the US alleges.
An FBI agent said the government of Pakistan paid Mr Fai $500,000 to $700,000 a year.
Officially, the Kashmiri American Council had a much smaller budget and it said that it received no foreign grants.Officially, the Kashmiri American Council had a much smaller budget and it said that it received no foreign grants.
"Mr Fai is accused of a decades-long scheme with one purpose - to hide Pakistan's involvement behind his efforts to influence the US government's position on Kashmir," Reuters quoted Neil MacBride, US Attorney for Eastern Virginia, as saying.
The Pakistani embassy in Washington issued a statement denying any government knowledge of such an arrangement.The Pakistani embassy in Washington issued a statement denying any government knowledge of such an arrangement.
"Mr Fai is not a Pakistani citizen and the government and embassy of Pakistan have no knowledge of the case involving him," the statement said."Mr Fai is not a Pakistani citizen and the government and embassy of Pakistan have no knowledge of the case involving him," the statement said.
A separatist leader in Kashmir, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Mr Fai was innocent and called the allegation the "result of India's diplomatic efforts and conspiratorial plans."
Prosecutors said the second man, Zaheer Ahmad, recruited people to act as donors who would give money to the council which really was coming from the Pakistani government. He is not under arrest and is believed to be in Pakistan.Prosecutors said the second man, Zaheer Ahmad, recruited people to act as donors who would give money to the council which really was coming from the Pakistani government. He is not under arrest and is believed to be in Pakistan.
Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for decades. Both countries claim the territory in its entirety and have fought two of their three wars over it.Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan for decades. Both countries claim the territory in its entirety and have fought two of their three wars over it.