In an interchange move, Pakistan Friday introduced new travel restrictions for US diplomats and officials across the country, mirroring travel restrictions by Trump administration on Pakistani diplomats and officials effective from 11 May. The Foreign Office had advised the US Embassy on 27 April this year that if the State Department proceeded with imposing travel restrictions on Pakistani diplomats in the US, Pakistan would reciprocate.
In a letter dated May 10, a copy of which is available with Business Recorder, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally conveyed the new travel permission regime to the US Embassy in Islamabad applicable on diplomats and officials of the US Embassy and consulates in others cities.
The new travel regime is referred to as 'reciprocal action' in the letter as the US travel restriction on Pakistani diplomats, officials of its Embassy in Washington and consulates in other US cities making it mandatory to take prior permission of the State Department before travelling beyond 40 kilometre radius of the embassy and consulates became effective.
The letter identifies reciprocal action as follows: "Introducing a similar travel permission regime for the US Embassy/Consulate staff in Pakistan; treating US diplomatic cargo at Pakistani airports and ports strictly in accordance with the provisions of Article 27 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (which does not provide for an exemption from scanning); implementing strictly the rules (already shared with the Embassy on 27 April 2018) governing interaction between Pakistan government officials and foreign diplomats."
"Use of tinted glass on official vehicles and rented transport; use of non-diplomatic number plates on official vehicles; use of diplomatic number plates on unspecified / rented vehicles; use of biometrically unverified/unregistered cell phone SIMs; hiring or shifting of rented properties without prior NOC; installing radio communication at residences and safe houses without prior NOC, overshooting visa validity periods and having multiple passports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad and with reference to the State Department's decision to implement new travel permission regime for Pakistani diplomats/officials and their dependents in the US, has the honour to state that Pakistan had undertaken every possible action to address the issue of alleged harassment including establishing a fast-track mechanism to address any future complaints.
The Ministry has the honour to state that accredited diplomats/officials of Foreign Missions in Pakistan do not require prior permission for travelling inside the country (except in case a visit is planned to designated prohibited/restricted areas for which a permission is given keeping in view the security imperatives)", the letter states.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration", the letter further states."
Diplomatic sources told this correspondent that foreign diplomats including the Americans in Pakistan are already prohibited from visiting high security areas, such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), as those areas are considered as high security risk areas.
These restrictions are applicable to all foreign diplomats and officials of their embassies and consulates alike and they are required to take permission while travelling to other cities due to security reasons.
Comments
Comments are closed.