I think the London High Commision is excessively difficult. I got my visa, but had to make three visits, and they kept changing the goal post. Once lodged, it took six working days, so not too long. But this was last year, before the Hadley affair, and even then they were difficult. The new rules on the VSF website make it clear that if you have no family connection, you can’t go. So it doesn’t effect someone like me or other Urdu-speakers. But if simply want to visit India as tourist, then forget it. Sehrysh, I suspect you had family links with India.
I also think the guy should have complained, but after all the headaches, the last thing the family wanted was to have any contact with the Indian High Commission. The thing is that the Pakistan High commission in London do not mess about Indians. I know a South Indian Hindu professor, who has made numerous visits to Pakistan, with out any problem.
Pakistan could make the same argument about security concerns, but has taken a different attitude towards British Indian applicants.
I do have family in India - don’t know, maybe that made it easier for me. But the truth is I didn’t want to pay extra for a visitor visa ($123 CDN) - so when I submitted my application I did so as a tourist ($62 CDN) and ultimately, my trip was a tourist trip - I went to about 12 cities (4 states) in 26 days - an awesome trip!