Pak urges Britain to stop discrimination against visa seekers

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has urged Britain not to delay and discriminate in granting visas to Pakistani citizens.

During a meeting with British Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling here, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said it was disturbing to note that a large number of Pakistani visa application were being rejected by the British authorities.

Gilani was referring to a BBC report according to which 41 percent of Pakistani visa applicants’ cases were rejected as compared to the 14 percent world average rejection of visas by Britain.

Gilani said students, who have been granted scholarships by him for higher studies in the UK, still have not received British visas.

Raising the immigration related discrimation being faced by Pakistanis across the world, Gilani pointed out that over 3.5 million Afghan refugees were still residing in the country.

“Over 3.5 million Afghan refugees are still residing on the Pakistani soil, totally forgotten by the international community,” The Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying.

He also stressed that Pakistan preferred trade with other countries rather than aid to tackle issues such as poverty and unemployment.

Gilani said Islamabad wanted a good relationship with all neighbours, including India and Afghanistan, and is working ’sincerely’ in this regard.

“Pakistan wants to have good relations with all its neighbours, including India and Afghanistan, and is sincere in its efforts to resume composite dialogue with New Delhi to resolve all outstanding issues,” he added. (ANI)