Denial of J-1 USA visa to Pakistanis: An organised campaign
Letters-in-Complaints are being published in various newspapers frequently these days in a bid to campaign from various sections including medical doctors and their associations regarding the “denial of USA J-1 Visa” to them for their further studies and training in the United States.
I have no objection for those who are writing these letters, but the way they are presenting their case is totally unreasonable and double standard. A clarification has also appeared in a Pakistan English daily newspaper a few days back by a US embassy official about their visa policy and how they are processing the individual cases after proper scrutiny.
Regardless, what is right and what is wrong I have to mention a few things for those who are upset of the US Visa denials and consider the issuance of the visa as their born right or if they can twist the American visa policy and their laws as we do in Pakistan.
By now, the people of Pakistan and people all over the world must clear their heads that the United States government, its agencies and its working force in the United States and around the world do whatever they like and how they like, no matter the world likes it or not. No country, Pakistan or the world over and no individual, General Pervaiz Musharraf or world leader can persuade Americans to change their policies or twist their laws according to their wishes. Its just a waste of time and beating the head against the wall.
When the Afghan war was looming, Pakistani leaders, even Pakistani president Musharraf requested the American government to at least wait and resist to start bombing in the holy month of Ramazan. But, the Americans not only started Afghan war in the month of Ramazan but also wrongly quoted that Muslims too have fought wars 1400 years back in the holy month of Ramazan. The worst of all was Iraq war, where the whole world was on one side and the United States on the other, and they literally gave a **** to the whole world of 220 countries, including, Russia and the Europe.
In some of their policies, specially in the cases of visa and immigration, they are very particular and even their highest office cannot interfere in the performance of their duties. Under the Canadian law if a Visa Officer refuses a visa giving any reason, it cannot be challenged in the court of law; however, one can still file appeal in the “Appeal Board”.
Its not only because of the 9/11 carnage, but they have tons of examples when entering people to the host country literally abused the privilege, resulting for the them major damage and giving them a lesson to watch their shoulders in future.
In 1993, I happened to visit Seoul, South Korea for 15 days and was staying in a hotel. My co-traveler had a friend working in Seoul under the table. He invited us on a dinner. While we were there having dinner, some Pakistani guy, out of breath, rushed in to us with a news that a group of 10 Pakistanis have been caught by the Korean security forces, explained that the group had entered Seoul just a week ago showing themselves as a team of Tableeghee Jamaat (missionary group).
The Americans know that its damn easy and like a pea nut to make any kind of fake papers in Pakistan, not only to meet the formality of a US visa but for any other field of daily life. They know us more that what we know ourselves. They can tell you the make of the football sitting in the corner of General Musharaf’s emerald lawn in Islamabad. They also know ,for sure, that even genuine people like doctors and Engineers could turn to be renegade, anti America. Since the Americans are already burnt, so they want to make sure on their part that they filter every drop before issuing entry Visa.
In this regard, I would add some more things (reasons for denial of the J-1 visas to doctors) to all these people who are upset for the denials of J-1 visas:
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This is not the end but the beginning after the 9/11 incident and the impression Muslim world has painted before the eyes of the west.
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Visa to enter any country of the world (including the United States) for any reason can be refused by the host country without assigning a reason. Thus, visa is not a right but the privilege granted by a host country to a visitor.
I remember an incident happened during the time of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan. Some political parties were making demonstrations against the United States and shouting too, " Amrika Murdabad-Amrika Murdabad". Mr. Bhutto ceased the opportunity and addressed to the agitators, " I have no objection what you are doing but, remember one thing, tomorrow when we will go to the same United States for wheat, kind and cash in aid and loan, how would that feel to us?" He suggested to the agitators, " first try to make yourself self-sufficient and stronger in all walks of life, so we may not have a need to go to the United States or any other country or agency with a begging bowl in our hands.
The same kind of thing was happening a couple of months back when people were clamoring the same way as today that America is kicking out a large number of Pakistanis from its soil. Every body knows why? We had better to set ourselves onto the right path first before blaming others for our downfalls. Why we forget that America is not subordinate to Pakistan that we should dictate our policies to them or is a nation like Pakistan where we can twist the law as we want?
And finally, when we complain of these things going justifiably against us why we forget our self-esteem, self-pride and self-respect as a nation?
If we don’t like America and say, “America Murdabad” its okay with America, just keep on hating uncle Sam, leave him alone and watch your own ass. Just study in Nawabshah, Jamshoro and Fatimah Jinnah colleges, why going for training to the United States?
SHAFIQ KHAN
CANADA
