United States has provided a list of Pakistani citizens to Foreign Office for their repatriation to the country after verification who are illegally residing in America. Diplomatic sources said that the US Embassy in Islamabad has approached Prime Minister House and sought an early verification of the list of those Pakistanis nationals which the US wants to be deported to the country.
Pakistani citizens who will be deported are those who are either in various jails or identified by the relevant US department for over-staying in the US. The sources said that Foreign Office had already promised to take back the deportees after due verification process by the Ministry of Interior. They said that upon the approach by the US Embassy, Prime Minister Imran Khan has instructed Minister for Interior Ijaz Shah to expedite the process of verification, adding that the US Chargé d'Affaires in Islamabad Paul Jones is also expected to meet Interior Minister soon.
Earlier on Sunday, reports claimed Trump administration imposed visa sanctions on Pakistan for refusing to take back deportees by adding the country to the list of 10 nations that have been imposed with sanctions under a US law according to which countries refusing to take back deportees and visa over-stayers will be denied the US visas.
However, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal clarified the reports as 'misleading' saying that there are ongoing discussions between Pakistan and the United States on consular matters including repatriation issues.
He said that both countries are working bilaterally on these issues consistent with their respective laws and have made considerable progress. "We understand that the US government would continue the normal consular operations at their Embassy in Islamabad and that the ongoing discussions do not affect issuance of visas to routine Pakistani applicants", he added.