US denies visa to pakistani lawmakers

US denies visa to 10 Pakistani lawmakers

Washington/Islamabad: The US embassyin Islamabad has rejected the visa applications of at least 10 members of the Pakistan National Assembly and the Senate nominated to attend the UN General Assembly session in New York from Nov 12.

The Daily Times newspaper, reporting from Washington, did not cite the reason given by the US for rejecting the visa applications of Pakistani lawmakers.

The US has tightened its visa application scrutiny since 9/11 and has been accused of being particularly hard on visitors from developing nations with Muslim names.

The newspaper wrote approvingly of the US decision saying that the government's nomination was part of the largess to the lawmakers, since the UN General Assembly was already at the fag end of its session this year and did not require their presence.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz earlier gave 15 MPs permission to visit New York from Nov 12 to 24, at public expense, the report said, adding: "The rejection of their visa applications will save the Pakistani taxpayer millions of dollars."

"Much of the visits to New York for the UN General Assembly session, at a time when the session is practically over and the MPs have little to contribute, have been used to "oblige" legislators wanting a free trip to the US."

"Much of their time, it has been observed, is spent visiting relatives and friends, shopping or sight-seeing. The important work of the General Assembly is completed in the first three to four weeks; thereafter the nature of the work is technical, performed by UN staff and professional diplomats," it said.

"No other country sends as many delegates to the General Assembly as Pakistan. The delegates also keep much of the staff of the Pakistan Mission and the Pakistan Consulate engaged in "protocol" duties rather than their assigned work, said the newspaper.