Pakistan has taken up the issue of difficulties being experienced by legitimate Pakistani travellers to the United States. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on Wednesday received the US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker at his request and discussed difficulties being faced by Pakistani travellers particularly, parliamentarians, eminent personalities, businessmen and students.
Foreign Minister pointed out there were several recent instances involving high-profile personalities that had attracted negative publicity. He also exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and to discuss follow-up to the Foreign Minister's visit to the United States.
He also discussed his meetings with President George Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and a member of Congressional Committees' Chairman.
Foreign Minister Kasuri expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome accorded to him in Washington. Ambassador Crocker briefed Foreign Minster Kasuri on US visa policy post-9/11. He said the US greatly valued its relations with Pakistan and was sensitive to the concerns expressed by the foreign minister.
He explained at length the procedures under the new US immigration laws. He said because of new computer-related technology being used in processing visa applications, the computer would not print out the visa unless all procedural requirements relating to clearances from the United States were met.
The US Ambassador thanked the Foreign Minster for receiving him and assured him of continued co-operation on this as well as other matters to further strengthen Pakistan-US bilateral relations.