Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan denied entry to US

Dubai: In an unusual diplomatic incident, the United States denied entry to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, K.K. Ahsan Wagan, and deported him from Los Angeles, Pakistani media reported.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO), Wagan, who holds a valid US visa and all necessary travel documents, was travelling to Los Angeles for a private visit when he was stopped by US immigration authorities upon arrival. The embassy official confirmed that the issue was related to an immigration objection, though the precise nature of the problem remains unclear.

Reports indicate that Wagan was flagged by the US immigration system due to “controversial visa references,” leading to his immediate deportation. He was returned to his last point of departure, raising questions about diplomatic protocol and the nature of the US response, Geo TV reported.

Avoid speculations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed on Tuesday that the ambassador had been visiting the US for personal reasons. A spokesperson for the ministry stated that an investigation into the deportation was underway, urging the public to refrain from speculation until all the facts were clear.

Who is Wagan

Wagan is a veteran diplomat with a distinguished career 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, and ambassador in Muscat, Oman. He has also held high-level roles in consular affairs, crisis management, and overseeing Pakistan’s diplomatic missions in various countries.

US travel ban

The incident comes amid broader concerns about potential restrictions on Pakistani citizens’ travel to the United States. Last week, reports surfaced suggesting that Pakistan might be added to a list of countries facing tougher visa scrutiny under US immigration reforms. A Reuters report indicated that Pakistan could be included in a list of nations whose citizens may be barred from entering the US due to concerns about illegal immigration. However, a subsequent report in the New York Times indicated that while Pakistanis might not face an outright travel ban, they could face increased scrutiny when applying for visas.

Reports also suggest that Pakistan could be placed in an “orange” category, a designation that would impose restrictions on certain visa types, such as limiting approvals to business travel for affluent individuals, while barring tourist and immigrant visas. If implemented, these restrictions could also shorten the validity of visas and require in-person interviews for all applicants.

As the situation evolves, Pakistan continues to seek clarity from the US authorities.