Pakistan’s envoy to Turkmenistan was denied entry into the United States and sent back from Los Angeles, despite holding a valid visa and complete travel documents. Ambassador KK Ahsan Wagan was travelling to Los Angeles for a vacation when US immigration authorities stopped him at the airport.
Pakistan’s Top Diplomat Denied Entry Into US
Why In News
- Pakistan’s envoy to Turkmenistan was denied entry into the United States and sent back from Los Angeles, despite holding a valid visa and complete travel documents. Ambassador KK Ahsan Wagan was travelling to Los Angeles for a vacation when US immigration authorities stopped him at the airport.
All You Need To Know
- The report, citing sources, stated that Wagan’s deportation was linked to “controversial visa references” detected by the US immigration system. Officials subsequently required him to return to his previous port of departure, raising questions about diplomatic procedures and the reasoning behind the action. However, US authorities have not disclosed specific concerns leading to the decision. “Ambassador K K Wagan was deported from the US. He had an immigration objection which led to his deportation,” the report cited a senior Foreign Ministry official as saying.
- Wagan has held multiple key positions in Pakistan’s foreign service. His past assignments include serving as second secretary at the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu, deputy consul general in Los Angeles, deputy head of mission and later ambassador in Muscat, Oman, as well as minister/charge d’affaires in Niamey, Niger. He has also overseen consular affairs and crisis management at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
- Given the gravity of the situation, the report claimed that he may be called back to Islamabad for an explanation. The matter has been reported to Pakistan’s top diplomatic leadership. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch have been briefed, while Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has tasked its Consulate in Los Angeles with investigating the incident
Donald Trump’s Remarks On Pakistan
- Last week, US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Pakistan for its assistance in capturing a key ISIS-K terrorist linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
- Addressing a joint session of Congress, President Trump revealed that Mohammad Sharifullah, suspected of orchestrating the attack that claimed the lives of 13 American service members and hundreds of Afghan civilians, had been arrested and was set for extradition.
- During his speech, Trump reaffirmed the US commitment to fighting terrorism, calling the suspect’s capture a crucial step in delivering justice to the victims’ families. He also criticised the Biden administration’s approach to the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, labeling it a “disastrous and incompetent” operation.
- “America is once again standing strong against radical Islamic terrorism,” Trump said. “Three and a half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members and many others during the Abbey Gate bombing. Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity, and he is now on his way to face American justice. I especially want to thank the Government of Pakistan for helping to arrest this monster.”
