Islamabad: Pakistan has reportedly refused permission to the United States for opening an embassy in Quetta, the largest city and the provincial capital of Balochistan.
According to the News, Pakistani security agencies have reportedly advised the government against the construction of the US mission, contending that its presence in Quetta may worsen the already poor law and order situation caused by the armed Baloch insurgency.
The Pakistan Army has also objected to the presence of US personnel in Balochistan and has already terminated CIA’s drone operations from the Shamsi airfield.
It is pertinent to note that an approval for the embassy was earlier accorded by Islamabad in 2010.
The US had proposed that the embassy in Quetta would help oversee the development activities carried out by Americans in Balochistan.
“It will also ensure a close liaison between the Baloch people and the US since visa facility at the consulate would save lot of time being wasted in going to Karachi and Islamabad,” the US had stated.
ANI
First Published: Saturday, July 23, 2011, 12:58