KARACHI, Sept 20: Contrary to some press reports, the UK visa service is working better than ever. This was stated by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mark Lyall Grant, on Monday. He said that all non-settlement applications were being processed within five working days and that the last remaining restriction in the visa service (First time non-family visitors under 25) was lifted on Aug 1.
Mr Grant pointed out that already this year, 122,000 visa applications had been processed, which was 20 per cent more than the last year. He further stated that as many as 4,500 student visas had been issued.
He said it was true that there was a high level of fraud and misrepresentation in applications. Every month, he added, the visa section detected a large number of passports which had been tampered with and hundreds of other forged documents. Those applicants who submit forged documents would be refused a visa but legitimate applicants had nothing to fear.
He stated that there had been ‘exaggerated reports of so-called backlash against Muslim communities in the UK. Those who have visited London since July would know these reports to be false.
Mr Grant said, “We are receiving very encouraging reports from students and other Pakistani visitors, which shows that life has quickly returned to normal.” After a short-term increase, race and faith hate crimes had dropped to pre-July levels which were lower than 2004.
He said, “We have a large number of important political visitors over the next few months. There will be trade missions from Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, the British Textile Machinery Association as well as a telecommunication sector mission will also visit Pakistan in March 2006.”
He stated that as a sign of confidence in Pakistan market, a key telecom sector contract had obtained cover from the UK’s Export Credit Guarantee Department of 50 million dollars for base stations and other equipment awarded to Motorolla by the Pakistan Mobile Communications Limited.
He also referred to the opening of first Costa Coffee shop in Karachi and said this was an indicator of the changing dynamics of the retail sector in Pakistan. He said that the trade between Britain and Pakistan was very encouraging at the moment.
He pointed out that the UK exports to Pakistan in the first six months of this year were significantly up by 20 percent than the last year and the overall trade balance was still in Pakistan’s favour.
He said that Britain was one of the major trading partners of Pakistan.
About the travel advisory, he said that Britain had eased the travel advisory strategically twice in the last two year. “We keep the travel advisory under constant review,” he added and explained that two years ago the travel advice was: “Do not come to Pakistan”. We then changed it to say: “Come to Pakistan when you have a reason to come, but do not come for tourism”.
Then again we changed the travel advisory to say: “You can come to Pakistan for business or tourism, but need to take care of your security,” he elaborated.
Meanwhile, a reception was hosted at the British Deputy High Commission here on Monday evening to mark the beginning of breast cancer awareness month.
The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mark Grant, and Mrs Sheila Lyall were also present on the occasion.
It was pointed out that Pakistan had the highest rate of breast cancer for any Asian population accounting for 40,000 deaths per year. —APP