ISLAMABAD: A US diplomat has claimed Pakistan government has denied a number of US diplomats, army officials and many other US citizens Pakistan visas owing to rising US operations in Pakistan, Geo news reported on Wednesday.

A US diplomat, on condition of anonymity, told Geo news that US diplomats?, military officials and US citizens? vehicles are being monitored strictly, stopped on checkpoints time and again and being searched out thoroughly.

He said US men allowed law enforcement agencies to checkout the trunks of their vehicles but denied to let them search the sitting areas of passengers in their vehicles.

?It seems as if all this is happening to calm down people?s anti-US sentiments in Pakistan?, he hoped adding, ?These might be temporary actions from Pakistan government.?

?US government will do nothing more than politely pressurizing Pakistan officials over the aforementioned issue?, he said adding, ?Many US diplomats have returned to US for celebrations of Charismas eve but they might miss chance to get back due to lack of extension in their visas dates from Pakistan.?

?Almost the extensions of 135 visas of US citizens, diplomats working in US embassy have been suspended while several visa applications have been turned down?, he added.

He accused Pakistan officials of not responding properly over US complaints regarding visa issue of Pakistan.

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Islamabad

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has held up visas for U.S. diplomats, military service members and others, apparently because of hostility within the country toward the expansion of U.S. operations in Pakistan, a senior U.S. diplomat said Wednesday.

American diplomats have also been stopped repeatedly at Pakistani checkpoints as part of what U.S. officials say is a wider focus on foreigners working in Pakistan. U.S. cars are searched, although diplomats are told to open the trunk but to refuse access to the passenger compartment.

The visa holdup is the latest tangible sign of the volatility of official U.S.-Pakistani relations. The two nations have an improving military relationship but mistrust and suspicion still shadow many government interactions, including U.S. attempts to help Pakistan.

The visa clampdown seems to be a reaction to widespread anti-American sentiment, even though many of the affected workers would be doing jobs that bring aid and other help to Pakistan.

The senior U.S. official said the U.S. does not plan to do more than press Pakistani authorities to relent. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive interaction between the two countries.

The U.S. Embassy already is large and expanding, with plans to go from about 500 employees to more than 800 over the next 18 months. Most of the growth is related to the expansion of U.S. aid to Pakistan, some of which comes with requirements for accounting and oversight that have rankled Pakistanis.

The official said that at the embassy, several employees have gone home for Christmas leave and will be unable to return because the Pakistani authorities have not extended their visas. In all, 135 visa extensions have been denied, the official said. Other visa applications have been rejected outright, but U.S. authorities have not collected data on how many.

The official said Pakistani authorities have not provided a comprehensive response to American complaints, and that several ministries are involved.

The official said that among those whose visas were held up are mechanics who tend to a fleet of U.S. helicopters that supports Pakistani military operations in the frontier areas.
The helicopters stopped flying when there were insufficient mechanics to maintain them, the official said. Some visas were approved after Pakistani authorities inquired about the grounded helicopters.

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KARACHI: The residents of Liaquatabad locality of metropolis have gunned down a dacoit while he was trying to flee following robbery on Wednesday morning, Geo news reported.

According to sources, following the act of plundering a dacoit was held by the residents and tortured brutally with iron rods, charged with baton and later shot bullet in the head when he was fleeing the area near Dakkhana Chaoranggi.

Later, police arrived to only recover his dead body lying on the road, police sources claimed.

His dead body has been deposited to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medical examination, sources added.

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HYDERABAD: Some of the areas located in interior of Sindh province witnessed incidents of firing against the Supreme Court short judgment over NRO on Wednesday night, Geo news reported.

The people had closed down CNG stations, petrol pumps, shops, and other businesses and trade centers much before the declaration of judgment.

According to sources, key areas of Hyderabad city, which affected the most included Chandni Bazaar, Latifabad no: 8 Market, Tower Market, Sarafa Bazaar, petrol pumps and CNG stations.

Heavy police and rangers troops continued patrolling in Mirpur Khas city in order to maintain law and order situation following some incidents of aerial firing.

People closed their shops and other businesses in Nawabshah due to possible panic to be triggered following NRO ruling from SC.

Unknown miscreants opened firing in Badin city and damaged streetlights, forcing the businesses and other trade markets to shut down, sources said.

Rangers? contingents have kicked off patrolling in many areas including district headquarters meanwhile in Thatta, angry mob set ablaze tires to blockade National Highway, witnesses claimed.

Khairpur, Jaccobabad, Sanghar, Sukkur, Matli, Jamshoro, Tando Jam and Tando Adam saw the similar situations where the businesses and routine lives had gone deserted.

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ISLAMABAD: Prominent lawyer Abdul Hafeez Pirzada has said over the SC verdict on NRO that the apex court judgment has handed nation a good reason to stay alive, Geo news reported.

Talking to Geo news, he said nation will not allow anyone to robe them of their rights.

Many NRO beneficiaries holding offices will be thrown out, he added.

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LAHORE

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