Dhaka, July 23: Bangladesh has imposed restrictions in issuing visas to Indian nationals for "the coming few days" in the wake of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's visit next week, a senior official of the ministry of foreign affairs said today. The official said "it is true that instructions have been given to Bangladesh High Commissions and deputy high commissions in India to issue visa in a restricted way." The official denied that it was a blanket refusal to all visa seekers but replied in the affirmative when asked if the order was related to the visit of Musharraf beginning July 29.

While strong security measures have been taken ahead of the visit, several student bodies and leftist political parties in the country have asked the government to cancel the visit. General Musharraf is the first head of state of the seven member SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) to visit Bangladesh after the four-party alliance government of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia came to power following last October's general election.

Bureau Report