ISLAMABAD: European Union and the
European France’s deputy ambassador met Pakistan’s interior secretary on last
Friday to defuse a diplomatic row between Paris and Islamabad over an attempt
to deport a Pakistani citizen which prompted a strong reaction from Interior
Minister Chaudhry Nisar a day earlier.
France’s
interior department had wanted to deport Muhammad Mansha to Pakistan for
criminal activity, vaguely defined as ‘severe moral crimes’. When the matter
was raised with Nisar, he reacted strongly. The minister insisted on Thursday
that Pakistan would only accept deportees as per its laws and no unverified
individual would be issued a Pakistani passport.
The Deportee Problem:During
Friday’s meeting, the French envoy said Paris’s stance had not been conveyed to
Pakistan’s interior ministry in proper context, leading to a misunderstanding.
The envoy added that France wants to work with Pakistan on the issue of
deportees.