The Pakistan Embassy in the United States has vehemently dismissed these claims as baseless and untrue. There has recently been an unsettling buzz concerning the alleged denial of visas to Pakistani-Americans who wish to visit Pakistan. However, the embassy emphasized that these reports are nothing but a concoction of misinformation and disinformation, possibly meant to stir confusion and anxiety among the community.
The clarification followed an inquiry directed at the US State Department regarding the purported visa rejections for Pakistani Americans intending to travel to their homeland.
Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, responded that he wasn’t privy to such developments. He added that should there be any concerns in this regard, the onus to address them would lie with Pakistani consular officials rather than the State Department. This stance delineated the responsibilities, implying that matters concerning visas fall squarely within the purview of Pakistani diplomatic channels.
Travel for Overseas Pakistanis
After the State Department’s briefing, the spokesperson for the Pakistan Embassy went a step further to allay fears and reassure the community. The embassy highlighted its commitment to facilitating Pakistani-Americans and other overseas Pakistanis to visit their native country. They insisted that the embassy is at the forefront, offering consular assistance, including visa processing, to ease their journey home.
The embassy further urged the community to utilize the available facilities, including the option to travel using their NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis) or securing visas through the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC. Additionally, they can approach any of the four Consulates General located in key cities across the US – New York, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles. The embassy also underscored the efficiency of the online visa application process that operates around the clock, emphasizing that there should be no reservations or causes for worry.
US State Department Monitoring Cipher Case
In a related development during the same press conference, the conversation veered towards the ongoing cypher case, which has been capturing significant attention. The US State Department affirmed their close monitoring of the evolving situation.
While avoiding specific details, spokesperson Patel mentioned the ongoing consultations with congressional partners concerning various issues. He maintained a cautious stance, avoiding any commitment to the precise nature of the involvement of the US Congress in investigating the cipher allegations but reiterating the attentive oversight being exercised on the case.
