Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday rejected US blogger Cynthia Ritchie’s application for visa extension of, directing her to leave the country within 15 days.
“The MoI — under pressure best known to them — has for the first time, in my over 10+ years in Pakistan, rejected my visa application. No reason has been given. We have a right to file an appeal & will do so. A higher forum must entertain my application & upon merits grant visa,” Ritchie said in a tweet.
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Earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed dissatisfaction over the interior ministry's recent order related to the validity of Ritchie’s visa and gave the government a final opportunity to render proper assistance.
In June, the IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah while taking up a petition filed by an activist of the PPP, had sought an explanation from the ministry about the status and terms and conditions of the visa issued to Ritchie, asking it to explain if she was entitled to making political statements.
