Washington, December 18: The United States has expressed serious concerns with Pakistani authorities over the “unjustifiable” and “inordinate” delay, running into months, in issuing visas to hundreds of its staff and contractors, which it said greatly hamper its humanitarian work and counter-terrorism measures in Pakistan.
At a time, when the Obama Administration has gone out of its way to ensure smooth passage of USD 7.5 billion civilian aid to Pakistan in the next five years, ignoring strong concerns by several lawmakers; the State Department officials are fuming at Islamabad at the “excuses” being given by its authorities regarding issuance of visas.
“Hundreds of visa applications and renewals have been put on hold, and we are not satisfied with the answers we are getting.
“The excuses are that we are trying to move these as quickly as we can. But that is not happening. I am sure. I know that that is not happening,” a senior State Department official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
However, the official declined to characterise this latest development as a breakdown in relationship between the two countries.
Given the complexity of relationship between US and Pakistan, the senior official termed it as a “bump in the road”.
–PTI