ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said on Saturday no delegation, member of Congress or diplomat of the United Stets will be welcomed after the U.S. embassy in Islamabad delayed visas to two senators.
Deputy Chairman Senate Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri was scheduled to travel to the U.S. as a part of a delegation comprising of Senator Lt. General (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi.
The delegation was to attend Inter Parliamentary (IPU) Hearings at United Nations Headquarters in New York on February 13-14, a statement from the Senate Secretariat said.
“The Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani has taken serious notice of undue delay in the issuance of visa to Deputy Chairman of Senate, Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri by the US Embassy in Islamabad denying the opportunity to participate in UN sponsored event in New York,” the statement said.
“The visit has now been cancelled on the direction of Chairman Senate,” it further said.
The Chairman Senate has further directed that no Senate delegation will visit U.S. unless an explanation to the delay in issuance of Visa to the Deputy Chairman Senate is given by the U.S. Government and the American Embassy in Pakistan.
“No delegation, member of Congress or diplomat of the USA will be welcomed by the Senate of Pakistan, Senate Standing Committees and the senators in their official capacity till this issue is resolved,” the statement said. NNI