After the controversy over Pakistani authorities being allegedly reluctant to allow Bollywood actor and BJP sympathiser Anupam Kher to visit Karachi, the Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit called
After the controversy over Pakistani authorities being allegedly reluctant to allow Bollywood actor and BJP sympathiser Anupam Kher to visit Karachi, the Pakistan high commissioner Abdul Basit called Mr Kher and offered him a visa to travel to that country if he has applied for the same, but the Bollywood actor declined the offer saying he has already taken up other assignments on the scheduled dates.
The Pakistan high commissioner said his country respects and admires Mr Kher and hailed him as a great artiste, adding that he was always welcome to visit Pakistan. Speculation is rife that the Pakistanis promptly sought to defuse the situation since the matter could have eventually hit ties between the two countries, as Mr Kher is seen as a vocal supporter of the Prime Minister.
The Opposition Cong-ress took a dig at Mr Kher over the visa issue, while the ruling BJP sought an explanation from the Pakistan government on the matter. Government sources, however, clarified that there had been no intervention by the ministry of external affairs on the matter. Pakistan high commission officials were cited as saying that Mr Basit had called Mr Kher after the actor said he was denied a visa to attend the Karachi Literary Festival while 17 others were issued the travel document. By some accounts, the call was made late on Tuesday evening while some others insisted it was made Wednesday.
Mr Basit tweeted on Wednesday, “@AnupamPkher you are always welcome Sir. You are a great artiste; we respect and admire you.” Replying to Mr Basit, Mr Kher said, “Thank you Mr. @abasitpak1 for your call & offering me a visa to visit Karachi. I appreciate it. Unfortunately I’ve given away those dates now.”
