The Foreign Office on Tuesday said it was investigating an incident in which Pakistani Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Ahsan Wagan, was denied entry into the United States and sent back by American authorities.
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson clarified that Wagan was not on an official visit to the US but was travelling privately.
"Responding to media speculations regarding non-entry and return of a Pakistani diplomat from USA, the spokesperson clarified that the officer had been travelling for a private visit. The matter is being investigated by the foreign ministry," read the statement.
The statement did not specify why the Pakistani diplomat was denied entry but urged people to avoid speculation on the matter.
The incident occurred on Monday at Los Angeles International Airport in California.
Ahsan Wagan hails from Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, and joined Pakistan's Foreign Service in 1996. After serving in the Foreign Office during his early career, he was posted as second secretary at the Pakistani Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal (20002004).
Wagan has previously served in the United States as well. From 2006 to 2009, he was the Deputy Consul General at the Pakistani Consulate in Los Angeles.
He later served as Deputy Head of Mission in Oman (2009-2013) and as Head of Mission at Pakistan's embassy in Niger (2015-2019).
Following this, he was appointed as Pakistan's Ambassador to Muscat (2019-2022). After returning to Islamabad in 2022, he served as Director General of Overseas Pakistanis, Consular Affairs, and the Crisis Management Unit at the Foreign Office.
Diplomatic sources have termed the incident "unprecedented," as Wagan possessed complete documentation yet was denied entry.
A FO source told The Express Tribune that since Wagan was on a private visit, he did not enjoy diplomatic privileges.
The source explained that if a diplomat travels on an official visit, they receive protocol, but otherwise, they are not granted diplomatic privileges.
However, the source confirmed that Wagan had informed and obtained permission from the Foreign Office before travelling to the US. It is mandatory for any diplomat to seek prior approval before visiting another country in a private capacity.
According to sources, stopping a diplomat in this manner suggests the presence of a 'red flag,' which is currently under investigation by the foreign ministry.
They also noted that even with a valid visa, US immigration officers have the authority to permit or deny entry to a traveller.
Wagan's case has surfaced amid reports that Pakistan might be included in a list of countries subject to a potential US travel ban.
However, no official announcement has been made yet.
The Reuters news agency, citing sources, reported that Pakistan was among the countries being considered for the ban. However, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel on Monday dismissed the reports, insisting they were untrue.
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