May 24, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11,1423

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MUZAFFARABAD, May 23: Thousands of intending visitors from Azad Kashmir, hit by the closure of the visa section in the UK High Commission, feel annoyed over the decision of the British government, a survey conducted by Dawn on Thursday shows.

Around six million people from Azad Kashmir, mainly from the southern districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimbher, are settled in the United Kingdom, many of whom, involved in active politics in the UK, have made their way to civic councils and even to the British parliament.

“The decision is very disappointing and rather annoying for the Kashmiris whose relations are British nationals and who they frequently visit throughout the year,” said Zulfiqar Abbasi, President of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AJKCCI).

Mr Abbasi was of the view that the decision could also result in lowering the popularity of the Labour Party among the Kashmiri expatriates, most of whom favour the Labours in the UK polls.

“To me, its most damaging effect is that it will prevent the intending foreign investors from making investments in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir,” he said.

Raja Irfan, a resident of Mirpur’s Bin Khurman locality, rejected British claims that security threats were the reasons behind its decision to pull back staff.

“India is creating a war hysteria in the region, and the British government’s decision will encourage the Indian efforts,” he said.

“We supported the international coalition, of which Britain is a key component, by putting even our own security at stake. And it is very unfortunate that in return we have been rewarded with such an unpleasant decision,” Irfan said.

Travel agents in Mirpur fear that they will go out of business, if Britain does not review its decision.

“This is the high season as far as our business is concerned. The closure of the visa section will badly affect us,” said Yaqoob Khawaja, manager of travel agency, Khawaja Chaudhry Associates.