Pakistan embassy resumes visa for Afghan patients

It had earlier closed all sections of embassy due to harassment by Afghan agencies

LANDI KOTAL: In a goodwill gesture, the Pakistan embassy in Kabul has resumed issuing visa on medical grounds despite the closure of consular services due to harassment of Pakistani officials by Afghan intelligence agencies, said a press release issued on Wednesday.

However, the counselors section will remain closed. On Monday, the Pakistan Embassy announced the closure of the visa section for an indefinite period due to security concerns.

The Foreign Office on Sunday issued a statement that said Pakistani diplomats in Kabul were being harassed. It had also summoned Afghan Charge d’Affaires to protest against the incident.

A Pakistan Embassy official on condition of anonymity told The Express Tribune that they closed the visa section after two incidents of harassment were reported in the Afghan capital.

Scores of Afghan citizens – particularly Afghan students, patients, and businessmen – have been affected by the closure. A source said on a daily basis 1,500 visas are issued to Afghan nationals.

The Afghan Consulate in Peshawar is still closed for the last three weeks over a land dispute between a Pakistani citizen and the Afghan government. The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Pakistani citizen and dismissed the Afghan government claims of ownership.

Kabul has refused to accept the decision and claimed the property belongs to the Afghan National Bank.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2019