IMF, Finance Ministry meeting delayed as UAE embassy processes visa

Embassy says visas will be issued after clearance from Dubai. Ministry submitted 'meeting letter' late.


Web Desk September 26, 2012
IMF, Finance Ministry meeting delayed as UAE embassy processes visa

ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates embassy in Islamabad has not yet issued visas for a Ministry of Finance delegation, which is supposed to meet an  International Monetary Fund delegation on September 25 in Dubai, Express News reported on Wednesday.

Talking to Express News correspondent Irshad Ansari, a finance ministry spokesperson said that the Pakistan delegation was supposed to meet the IMF delegation in Dubai, which was there since two days, but the UAE embassy in Pakistan had not yet issued visas to the delegation stating that since the ministry had submitted the official 'meeting letter' today, the matter had been sent to Dubai. Only after official clearance from Dubai visas will be issued.

The spokesperson said that if visas were issued to them by evening, then the delegation would leave tonight for Dubai, adding that otherwise the Ministry of Finance would be notified of the matter.

The minister and secretary finance would then decide whether if the venue of the meeting should be changed to another location or hold it in Pakistan.

It is noteworthy that the IMF delegation had earlier refused to hold the meeting in Pakistan.

COMMENTS (5)

meekal a ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply

The IMF follows UN security guidelines and I am sure that staff is advised NOT to travel to Pakistan at this point. There is not much one can do about that but hope that the security situation improves.

As for the visa issue, I am NOT surprised at such incompetence from the side of the Finance Ministry but why is the Embassy have to send this to Dubai for approval?

H.A. Khan | 12 years ago | Reply But why was Ministry of Finance so irresponsible to submit visa application so late And why did IMF team not come to Pakistan?
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