Visa policy for foreigners of Pakistani origin under review

Government is reviewing the policy for issue of visas to all foreigners of Pakistani origin, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor said heads of Indian Mission and Posts in the US have the discretion to grant visas to US and Canadian citizens of Pakistani origin, according to the extant guidelines of the ministry of home affairs.

Giving the details of the visas issued to Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a Pakistani-Canadian arrested by the FBI on charges of plotting terror attacks in India, and his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar, Tharoor said both visas have since been cancelled and the entire process of issuance of visas to Rana and his wife is being inquired into.

"The policy for issue of visas to all foreigners of Pakistani origin is under review," the minister said.

While Rana was given a one-year business visa, valid up to March 2011, his wife was issued a five-year tourist visa, valid up to August 2012, Tharoor said.