Islamabad: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza
Gilani on Monday ordered an immediate inquiry into a report that
some officials of the Foreign Ministry were allegedly involved
in a scam for issuing introductory letters to obtain visas for
various countries.
A statement from the premier`s office said he had
taken "serious notice" of reports in a section of the press
about the visa scam allegedly involving officials of the
protocol wing of the Foreign Ministry.
"The Prime Minister ordered for an immediate inquiry
and asked for the report on the issue urgently," the statement
said.
The Foreign Ministry had earlier ordered a separate
inquiry into the allegations.
The News daily today quoted its sources as alleging
that introductory letters for visas were issued for a few
persons who were part of the President and Prime Minister’s
entourage for foreign visits.
However, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir described
the latest media report as part of a slander campaign against
the Foreign Ministry.
In a statement, Bashir said a formal inquiry had been
ordered into the allegations and it was "important to sift the
allegation from facts".
"However, the insinuations contained in these press
reports are neither warranted nor justified and are forcefully
refuted," he said.
Bashir added that "it was preposterous to implicate
the leadership in the so-called visa scam" as this "only
reflects the evident motivations behind these reports".
Besides the internal inquiry, the Foreign Ministry
will "take all other appropriate steps in the matter", Bashir
said.
PTI
