I HAVE recently visited South Africa and interacted with a number of professionals and educated people living in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

On a professional trip, I received a warm welcome and I understand that Pakistan has a reasonably good reputation there. When I met a number of people there, I found they were eager to visit Pakistan for several reasons, including nature and talent.

However, many of them shared their stories that when they tried to get a visa, they had a horrible experience with the Pakistan High Commission in Pretoria. The long-waiting queue, scorching sun and no shed outside the embassy, and closure of embassy doors on time, and denial to the majority of people from entering, while waiting outside for almost the whole day, and a blunt advice to come again the next day, is what many of the people have experienced.

A respected lady, aged 75, shared her experience of standing for hours outside the Pakistan High Commission. She witnessed that even older people in wheel-chairs did not receive the due attention. It embarrassed me when our embassy staff was compared with that of a few Middle Eastern countries that are infamous for their cold attitude towards the public. I wonder if Pakistanis are famous for their generosity and friendliness towards foreigners, why our embassy staff is unable to reflect the same.

While praying Juma prayers in Durban, I met a few people who had their grandparents migrated to South Africa before partition in 1947. They said that their “own people and Muslim brothers (Pakistan)” do not treat them well, charge a high visa fee and create much difficulties in getting a visa. The Indian embassy has made it very easy for them to apply and get the visa, with almost zero processing fee.

As a frequent traveller, I know many fairy-tale stories written on any embassy’s web-site are far from reality.

Our high commissions should improve and expand their operations in South Africa and other countries. They should employ courteous and helful staff, make the visa application process easier. They may consider having a consular office in Cape Town too. This way we will be able to welcome more visitors, win friends and encourage our tourism industry.

Engr Waseem Asrar Ahmed

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017