India denies visa to former Pak President Musharraf

NEW DELHI - Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reportedly been denied a visa to attend a seminar scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Saturday.

According to reports, the Centre does not want the “convergence of elements opposed by the present government in Pakistan on Indian soil”.

It is also believed that the Union Home Ministry expressed reservations over Musharraf’s visit due to his recent anti-India statements.

The former Pakistan President had been invited to attend a seminar and receive an award at a ceremony hosted by the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), a global network of young chief executives.

Musharraf had previously visited India in 1999, 2005 and 2009.

Earlier, Musharraf had accused India of trying to create a hostile state in Afghanistan against his country.

“If I’m allowed to be very, very frank, India’s role in Afghanistan is to create an anti-Pakistan Afghanistan,” Musharraf had said.

“This is very clear to me. There are consulates in Kandahar and Jalalabad (which) are actually involved in creating trouble in Pakistan. They have no other role,” said Musharraf, and questioned, “Why wouldn’t the consulates be somewhere in the north facing Uzbekistan and Tajikistan?” (ANI)