Hours after Anupam Kher complained about being denied visa by Pakistan, its High Commissioner Abdul Basit called him up and offered the travel document, which the veteran actor politely refused.
Sources in High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi said Basit asked Kher to submit the visa form and promised to clear it within no time. However, Kher told Basit that he has taken up other assignments on those dates when he was supposed to be in Karachi for the literature festival.
“@AnupamPkher you are always welcome Sir. You are a great artiste; we respect and admire you,” Basit tweeted on Wednesday. Kher responded, “Thank you Mr. @abasitpak1 for your call & offering me visa to visit Karachi. I appreciate it. Unfortunately I’ve given away those dates now.”
However, Basit and Kher continued to have differences on the issue of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry’s involvement in refusing him the visa. “Dear @abasitpak1, Reality remains that Pak Interior Ministry refused to grant NOC for my visa. 17 others invited also didn’t apply for visa,” Kher had tweeted on Tuesday night.
Denying this, Basit tweeted back, “@AnupamPkher sorry Sir I don’t know who told you about this so-called NOC, we are still to receive your visa application and passport.”
Officials in the High Commission maintained that Kher has made an issue out of a non-issue, particularly when the actor has not even filled and submitted the visa form. “The High Commissioner told Kher to submit the visa application form following which he will be granted visa. But visa cannot be granted if there is no application for it,” an official in the High Commission said. He added that all such issues of NOC or other grievances can come up only after the visa form is submitted.
Kher on Tuesday claimed he was the only one denied visa to attend the Karachi literary Festival (KlF) while 17 others were issued the travel document. Kher said he had been denied a Pakistani visa for the third time. Significantly, Ameena Syed, spokesperson for KlF, said in Karachi that they had been advised by the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi to tell Kher not to submit a visa application as he would not be issued one. The Pakistani High Commission has denied these allegations.