Foreign Office revises travel policies after Senate officer’s family seeks asylum in Europe

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued new guidelines for visa issuance and official travel following an incident where the family of an officer posted in the Senate sought political asylum in Europe during an official visit.

The family of Haider Ali Sundrani, Joint Secretary of the Senate Secretariat, applied for asylum in a Western European country during a trip to Geneva, Switzerland, in March 2024.

Haider Ali Sundrani had been nominated to attend the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.

He requested official documentation not only for himself but also for his family members.

However, it was later revealed that his family did not return to Pakistan and instead applied for political asylum, causing national embarrassment and further complicating visa procedures for other officials.

In response to this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revised the guidelines for issuing notes verbales and introductory letters.

The new policy mandates that official requests for diplomatic or official passports must come from the National Assembly or Senate Secretariat.

Additionally, family members accompanying officials on private trips will no longer receive introductory letters.

The guidelines, approved by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, also require a formal affidavit ensuring that officials or their family members will not seek asylum in any country during their travels