ISLAMABAD, June 23: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri raised the issue of a stringent US visa policy with Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker when the latter called on him at the foreign office on Wednesday.

The foreign minister drew Ambassador Crocker’s attention to the problems being faced by Pakistani travellers to the US, particularly parliamentarians, eminent personalities, businessmen and students, said a statement issued by the foreign office here on Thursday.

The foreign minister pointed out that there were several recent instances “involving high-profile personalities that had attracted negative publicity.”

The ambassador briefed Mr Kasuri on US visa policy post-9/11. He explained the procedures under the new US immigration laws and pointed out that due to the new computer-related technology being used in processing visa applications, the computer would not print out the visa unless all procedural requirements relating to clearances from the US were met.

He maintained that students were being accorded priority and a walk-in visa arrangement had been made for them. In this context, he mentioned the largest ever US Fulbright scholarship programme for Pakistani students. He emphasized that the United States greatly valued its relations with Pakistan and was sensitive to the concerns expressed by the foreign minister.

According to the statement, “at his request, US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker was received by Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri”.