Pak refuses visas to British officials in protest against arrest of its civilians

Islamabad, May 7 (ANI): Pakistan has refused to issue visas to a team of British officials who were supposed to visit Islamabad to facilitate signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both the countries on extradition of unwanted, suspicious persons.

According to the officials Islamabad has decided not to issue visas to register its protest against the arrest of Pakistani students over suspicion of them plotting terror attacks across Britain.

"Pakistani authorities refused to issue them visas to register strong protest against the British government's decision to not only arrest its citizens without any substantial charges of terror but also to deport them despite the fact that allegations levelled against them could not be proved," The Nation quoted diplomatic sources, as saying.

The British government has been trying to resolve the issue. The matter was also discussed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown with President Asif Ali Zardari during his recent stay in London on way to Washington.

"The authorities in Islamabad are still reluctant and they are not in mood to reverse their earlier decision of not issuing visas to the British officials, what to talk about the signing of MoU," sources added.

When asked as to what prompted the Britain to push for an extradition treaty with Pakistan, sources said: "the authorities in UK are concerned that their courts could come up with a decision in favour of students if they move them with a plea that they could be maltreated in Pakistan if they were expelled because of the poor human rights record of Pakistani law nforcement authorities." (ANI)