Islamabad : Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Hussain Haqqani, has been reportedly called back for questioning over visas issued to US nationals by the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
According to reports, approximately 3000 visas had been issued between July 14 to December 31, 2010, to US officials and diplomats by the Pakistan Embassy in Washington 'without security clearance'.
"He will be asked to furnish names and addresses of all those US nationals whom he had allegedly issued Pakistani visas without security clearance," The Nation quoted a source, as saying.
The sources also revealed that Haqqani has been called back on the directives of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.
Gilani had earlier assured a joint sitting of the parliament that Haqqani would be called back to appear before National Assembly and Senate standing committees on foreign affairs and defence.
The Pakistan government had earlier decided to review its visa policy for US officials and diplomats, and had withdrawn special powers granted to Haqqani following the sticky Raymond Davis episode.
"It can be well-imagined that how much damage must had been done to our national interest after the Prime Minister empowered Haqqani to issue visas to US officials and diplomats arbitrarily and without administrative approval from Pakistan," an Interior Ministry official had said. ANI
