ISLAMABAD – Bangladesh, in an apparent protest, has stopped processingvisas for Pakistanis for all categories.
Over the last week, no visa has been issued to Pakistanis in any category,said Dhaka Tribune late on Monday.
This seems to be a reactionary move from Bangladesh as Pakistan has notrenewed the visa for the Visa Officer at the Bangladeshi High Commission inIslamabad.
Bangladesh blames Pakistan for playing delaying tactics for the renewal ofthe visa which expired on March 30.
“For the last seven months, there has been no visa officer at the highcommission as the Pakistan government are dilly-dallying in issuing thevisa to the appointed official in Bangladesh,” reported Dhaka Tribune.
As a result, Bangladesh has temporarily closed visas for Pakistanis.
“Issuance of any visa to Pakistani nationals remains suspended as the visacounter in Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad has been closed sincelast Monday [May 13],” DK quoted Iqbal Hossain, counselor (press) atBangladesh High Commission in Islamabad.
Read Top Stories
The Bangla official said that they have informed the South Asian wing ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan and the visa counter willremain closed until the visa officer gets his visa.
The diplomatic tussle between the two countries started when Bangladeshrefused to accept Saqlain Syedah as Pakistan’s new high commissioner toBangladesh, but Pakistan insisted on it.
Then six months ago, the country re-notified Pakistan that it still doesn’taccept Syedah and asked for an alternative nomination – Pakistan didn’trespond to what they deemed an unnecessary objection.
Officials from the foreign ministry are yet to respond to the development.
Via: *Dhaka Tribune*link
