KABUL, July 28 (DNA): Pakistan embassy in Kabul has announced to
restrict issuance of visa to certain segments of Afghan population due
to a criminal gang operating outside the Consular area.

The Embassy in a statement said Sunday it will issue Visas to certain
individuals only, not to general applicants.

A spokesman of the embassy has announced to issue visa for Pakistan only
to elderly persons, medical patients, women and businessmen.

The embassy has taken this step until an action against the gang
operating outside its premises being taken by the authorities, the
spokesman clarified in a statement.

The visa restrictions will be continued until and unless, Afghan
authorities take action against the swindlers, embassy said.

The embassy complained in its statement that the gang of Afghan con-men
gives access to people to the Consular area of the diplomatic mission
after extorting money from them.

“The Embassy of Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Kabul, with immediate
effect, will only be issuing visa to elderly, medical patient, women and
businessmen until the Afghan government takes action against the gang
operating outside the Consular area and extorting money from visa
applicants for access to the consular area,” a statement displayed on
the website of the embassy reads.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Zahid Nasrullah Khan said
that around 3,000 to 4,000 people are visiting the Pakistani Embassy in
Kabul on a daily basis to get a visa.

Some applicants claimed that if they pay $180, they will get the
Pakistani visa in one day.

Previously, Pakistan’s embassy in Kabul was issuing 700 visas to Afghans
on a daily basis, but now this figure has increased to over 1,000 visas
per day.

However, no comment from Afghanistan government on the issue has been
made so far. DNA