LAHORE: The Government of Pakistan has stopped issuing visas to the United States citizens including US army officials and diplomats, a senior US diplomat said on Wednesday.
The US embassy has claimed that Pakistan has held up visas for American diplomats, military service members and others, apparently because of hostility within the country toward the expansion of US operations in Pakistan. He alleged that American diplomats have also been stopped repeatedly at Pakistani checkpoints and the US cars are also searched as part of what US officials say is a wider focus on foreigners working in Pakistan. The visa hold-up comes as the latest tangible sign of the volatility of official US-Pakistani relations. The two nations have an improving military relationship but mistrust and suspicion still shadow many government interactions, including US attempts to help Pakistan. The US diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive interaction between the two countries, said that the visa clampdown seems to be a reaction to widespread anti-American sentimen.
The official said the reaction is probably temporary and that the US does not plan to do more than press Pakistani authorities to relent.
He said several employees at the embassy have gone home for Christmas leave and would be unable to return because the Pakistani authorities have not extended their visas. The official said in all 135 cases visa extensions have been denied, adding that many other visa applications have been denied outright. The official said Pakistani authorities have not provided a comprehensive response to American complaints, and that several ministries are involved in this. He said that allows Pakistani authorities to spread the blame. daily times monitor/ap
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment