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.
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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?
"It is noteworthy that the IMF delegation had earlier refused to hold the meeting in Pakistan". Says a lot about the state of the union of Pakistan
Ummah Brotherhood :)
Reduce Emirates flights to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad to max 1 per day and you'll see the Dubai government back down.