The United States will implement new “reciprocal restrictions” on the movement of Pakistani diplomats in the next two days, restricting them within 25 miles of their appointed stations in the U.S., according to a Pakistani unnamed official.
Once the new arrangement has been enforced, Pakistani diplomats wishing to travel outside their designated radius in the U.S. will have to seek special permission from the State Department.
The development comes amidst an increasingly fraught U.S.-Pakistan relationship; as both countries grapple with terrorism and security.
A notification in this regard has been sent by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to the Pakistan Embassy in Washington D.C.
The timing coincides with the incumbent Pakistan Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary’s announcement about the end of his U.S. tenure during a media briefing.
“I am a civil servant and I obey orders from Islamabad, I served my country with honour and dignity and I am ready to leave now.” Chaudhary said.
He explained to the US media that he will return to Islamabad in the next few weeks following the completion of his duties in Washington D.C. Although, the reduced timeframe for an outgoing Pakistani Ambassador to conclude his affairs is unusual – as incumbents are usually granted a six-week duration to wind down their commitments’ in the U.S.; Chaudhary told reporters the time was sufficient to conclude his matters.
Chaudhary is expected to leave his post on May 29th two days before an interim government is expected to take the helm in Islamabad.
Published in Daily Times, May 11th 2018.