LONDON – Pakistan’s new high commissioner to the United Kingdom SahebzadaAhmed Khan has said that he is aware that thousands of Pakistani studentsfail to get visas to UK each year despite fulfilling all requirements.

He stressed that he will be raising this issue with the Home Office soonand will advocate the case of Pakistani applicants.

The number of Pakistani students trying to get UK visas for highereducation has sharply dropped in the last few years and only a handfulstudents are no able to come to UK universities. Pakistani students areamongst the biggest victims of UK govt’s new visa regulations which havefocussed on targeting international students.

“Our students face extreme difficulties in obtaining visas for UK. I willbe interacting with the UK government to find out the problems to know whatare the reasons behind mass refusals. This will be amongst my priorities,”the high commissioner said.

Sahebzada Ahmed Khan said that he will be visiting universities in UK tomeet Pakistani students to get to know their problems.

“Nearly 1.5 million Britons are of Pakistani origin, they are the realasset of Pakistan in this country and I will try my best to increaseinteraction with them. We will be interacting with them not only throughour consulates but also directly through the high commission. We willwelcome Pakistanis to get in touch with us,” said the high commissioner.