US reduces visa validity for Pakistan citizens to 3 months from five years

New York: In a fresh jolt to Pakistan, the USA Embassy, on Wednesday, has reduced the visa validity from five years to three months for the Pakistani nationals, the move that comes in the wake of a similar step taken by Pakistan for the US citizens.

Apart from civilians, the new visa policy will also be applicable to Pakistani journalists. The US government has also increased visa application fees for the Pakistani citizens to $192 from $160.

Pakistan had recently modified the visa policy for US Citizens, including the reduction of visa validity and fee increment.

Pakistan is in pressure from all across the globe for taking no action on the terrorist organizations having its base in Pak despite being presented several evidences.

United States of America (USA) has actively intervened in the recent Pakistan sponsored terrorists activity in Pulwama in India that killed 40 Indian soldiers.

India has also accused Pakistan of using F-16 fighter jet to target the Indian military airbase and was shot down by IAF in the mid air fight. U.S Deputy Spokesman, Robert Palladino, said, “We saw the reports related to the use of F-16 against India and we are closely investigating this matter. Pakistan has used F-16, I cannot confirm this. This is a case of policy.”

He said that the entire matter is being investigated. Action will be taken against Pakistan if found guilty in the case. Pakistan, on the other hand, justified the allegations made against it by saying that it used some Chinese plane.

India, had on February 26, bombed the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists training camps at Balakot in Pakistan that was not received well by the neighboring nation and tagged it as a major ceasefire violation. In reply, Pakistan targeted the Indian military base camps two days later but was foiled by the Indian Air Force. A F-16 fighter aircraft was shot down by India's MiG 21 in the operation.