By Wajid Ali Syed in The News, Nov 22, 2023WASHINGTON: The US on Tuesday reiterated its call to Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, to allow entry for Afghans seeking protection and coordinate with international organizations to provide humanitarian assistance. “We are in close and constant communication with the government of Pakistan on the safety of individuals in the US pipeline,” the US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said during the daily briefing. The pipeline…
Posts tagged as “Visa”
By Saleem Shahid in Dawn, November 17th, 2023QUETTA: Despite weeks-long protests by locals, traders and political parties, the government has started the implementation of new visa regime on the Chaman border crossing with Afghanistan. In November, the national apex committee, comprising civil and military officials, decided that only those with valid passports and visas would be allowed to cross the border. Earlier, Pakistanis and Afghans would cross the border upon showing either Pakistani or Afghan…
by Raheed Ejaz in Prothom Alo, Nov 2, 2023Dhaka: At least 300,000 workers have gone to Oman from Bangladesh in the last two years. But the employment situation for the expatriate workers in the Middle Eastern country is not in a good state now. As many Bangladeshis who went there spending several lakhs of taka are not getting suitable work, they are forced to take up jobs that are deemed illegal. In this context, Oman…
By Saleem Shahid in Dawn, October 9th, 2023QUETTA: Pakistan has suggested the interim Afghanistan government establish a sub-consulate in Chaman, as efforts are underway to devise a mechanism for the issuance of an on-arrival visa to Afghan citizens at the border town on the basis of their identification documents. The authorities concerned would also approach the federal government seeking the installation of a passport reader in the border town. These issues were taken up during…
By Shamindra Ferdinando in The Island, Sept 28, 2023Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera has told Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena that the US should not deny a visa to an MP nominated by the Sri Lankan Parliament to join an official delegation unless he/she posed a threat to US interests. In a letter dated 25 Sept., 2023, the former Public Security Minister has informed Speaker Abeywardena the…
by Shamindra Ferdinando in The Island, Sept 25, 2023Controversy surrounds an alleged suggestion by the US that Parliament name a member from a minority community to represent the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on National Security, as incumbent Chairman of the committee Rear Admiral (retd.) Sarath Weerasekera, MP, cannot be issued a visa in time for him to join a parliamentary delegation visiting Washington later next month. The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has, with USAID funding, organised…
report in Prothom Alo, Sept 10, 2023Chinese investors want simplification of tax, customs procedures and visa processes to enhance trade and investment with Bangladesh. Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of China in Bangladesh Song Yang made the remarks while addressing a seminar on “Stakeholder Consultation with Chinese Investors: Challenges, Expectations and Prospects” held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFEC) at Purbachal. The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, in collaboration…
by Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee in The Daily Star, Jun 5, 2023Partners of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance were divided over the new US visa policy yesterday as left-leaning parties at a meeting welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s firm stance. They said Bangladesh should not bow to US pressure and all should thank Hasina for her stance. The AL and other partners of the alliance, however, opined that the government should resolve the issue diplomatically.…
report in Prothom Alo, May 31, 2023US ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas on Tuesday said the new US visa policy applies to “everyone” and it is to encourage the right “behaviours” to ensure free and fair election. “The Idea behind the (new visa) policy is that it applies to everyone, it’s about the behaviours and it’s about encouraging the right behaviours for free and fair elections. So people who support free and fair elections have…