31 August 2016

News Story: Pakistan Bans Entry To Afghans Holding Visas For India

by Zarmina Mohammadi

In a recent policy shift, India's traditional rival Pakistan has slapped new sanctions on Afghan nationals who have an Indian visa in their passports.

On Tuesday, director of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Jabbarkhail said that over the past few days Pakistan has deported or banned entry to at least ten Afghans after finding Indian visas in their passports.

In response to the move by Pakistan, Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has said the decision is unacceptable and that Afghanistan has resumed negotiations with Islamabad to resolve the issue.

"It is a disputed issue, the ministry of foreign affairs conducts discussions with Pakistan officials to resolve the problems of our citizens," said MoFA spokesman Ahmad Shekib Mustaghni.

TOLOnews has however received a number of documents which indicate that Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has put embargoes on Afghan citizens who have travelled to India.

"Airline companies are still informing the passengers that they can not take them to Pakistan if there is an Indian visa in their passport," said Mohammad Asif Jabbarkhail.

The new move by Pakistan has had an impact on airlines and travel companies.

Read the full story at ToloNews