ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Assembly on Friday was informed that a total of 108,906 visas were issued by the Pakistan missions in the USA during the tenure of the incumbent government.
Responding to a question during Question Hour, Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastagir Khan on behalf of minister for Foreign Affairs said that mostly visas were issued to people of Pakistani origin after following all requirements.
He said that visas to workers of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other organizations were issued after vigorous clearness of the ministry of interior.
Giving the breakup of the visas, he said that Pakistan mission Washington issued 27,428 visas, Los Angeles 15,462 visas, Houston 22,200 visas, New York 29,584 visas and Chicago 14,232 visas.
To a written reply, the Foreign Ministry informed the House as per the Joint Statement issued on 9th December during the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan, the Jammu & Kashmir dispute will be an important item under the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue.
The Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India are scheduled to meet on 15th January, 2016 to discuss the modalities and time schedule of the Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue, which would include discussions on all outstanding issues including the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.
Source: APP