960417

Bahrain's Consulate

General expresses

inability to endorse

FPCCI members visas

IQBAL MIRZA

KARACHI: The Consulate General of the State of Bahrain has expressed its inability to endorse visas on the recommendation of Ministry of Commerce for the members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry who intend to proceed to Bahrain in connection with the signing of cooperation agreement during Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's forthcoming visit to that country.

Iftikhar Ali Malik, Zonal Chairman, Lahore Zone and Vice-President, FPCCI, who is proceeding with the Prime Minister will sign the cooperation agreement on behalf of FPCCI with the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Ministry of Commerce had written to the embassy of Bahrain on April 17 that since Iftikhar Ali Malik was proceeding to Bahrain to sign the cooperation agreement during Prime Minister's forthcoming visit, visa may urgently be affixed on presentation of passport.

The Consulate General of Bahrain on Wednesday morning faxed its reply regretting its inability to issue visa on the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce.

The consulate desires a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, for affixing the appropriate visas.

The Prime Minister is leaving on a four-day official visit to Syria and Bahrain on April 20.

The FPCCI authorities were trying to get in touch with concerned officials so that visas are granted immediately as there was very little time left for making preparations.

It was expected here at the Federation House that visas would be affixed on Thursday and members may be able to take the first available flight on April 19.