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Foreigners asked to get valid Russian visas for entry

T A Malik

Islamabad: The Russian government has officially conveyed to all the embassies in Moscow that as of January 15, 2000 foreign citizens having visas of CIS countries shall not have the right to travel via the territory of Russian Federation without a valid Russian visa.

All Pakistanis are advised to obtain Russian visa if they plan to transit through Russia while travelling to any of the following CIS countries; Kyrgyzstan, Kazakstan, Tajikistan, Tarkmanistan, Uzbakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarussia, etc.

Since the last few months some Pakistani nationals even when holding valid Russian visas have been refused entry and deported by the Russian immigration authorities from the airport.

Therefore Pakistanis intending to travel to Russia should ensure that the sponsors of their visas are informed of their flight details to Moscow or any other destination in the Russian Federation, the officials of Foreign Ministry said.