Pakistan consulate in Jalalabad to reopen Sunday

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Local officials on Saturday said Pakistan would reopen its consulate in Jalalabad, capital of eastern Nangarhar province tomorrow (Sunday) following an agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

About a month back, Pakistan closed its consulate in eastern Nangarhar province, accusing the governor of meddling in the diplomatic mission’s affairs.

However, Nangarhar governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani told Pajhwok Afghan News that Pakistan visa applications in Jalalabad would be managed and processed by officials concerned in Sarajul Amarat Park in the city, for brining better management on the regard, following a newly developed plan in agreement between Pakistan and MoFA.

He said that visa applications from Rodat, Pachiragam, Chaparhar, Hesarak, Khogyani and Shirzad districts and nomads of the province would process on Sundays according to the plan.

The applications from Haska Mina, Kot, Ghanikhel, Achin, Nazian and Dorbaba districts would process on Monday, he said, adding applications from Bati Kot, Dara-I-Noor, Kama, Khewa, Goshta, Momandara and Lalpori districts would process Tuesdays.

 On Wednesdays, visa applications from Jalalabad city and Behsud, Surkhrod and Chaparhar districts would process, Khogyani said.

About visa applications from other provinces, he said that Thursday was chosen for processing applications from Paktia, Khost, Ghazni, Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces.

Based on the agreement, Pakistan should issue at least 1,800 visas to Afghans on daily basis, Khogyani added.

Visa applicants have lately been complaining against the consulate, claiming the officials concerned forced them to pay bribes.

mds