Indian authorities Tuesday turn down the request of Pakistan to allow a group of New Delhi-based foreign Journalists to travel to Islamabad through the Wagah border, people familiar with the development told News Bridge.
According to the sources, Pakistan planned to take a group of 5 journalists for interactions with top political leadership, including Prime Minister Imran Khan to apprise them about the situation in Afghanistan from August 3-7.
Earlier in July, Pakistani political leadership including PM Imran Khan interacted with a group of Aghan Journalists. The current visit was New-Delhi based foreign Journalists was seen as a follow-up to such visit.
Analysts say Pakistan is trying to build an international narrative on its role in Afghanistan in the face of mounting criticism of Islamabad by the Afghan government for allegedly continuing with its support to the Taliban.
The Pakistani side had sought permission for the five foreign journalists to travel via Wagah along with Jamil Baitu, the spokesperson of the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.
The Wagah-Attari border crossing was closed last year following the Covid-19 outbreak. Pakistan recently increased restrictions on travelers from India after the country was hit by a devastating second wave of infections earlier this year.
Currently, flight services between India and Pakistan are also suspended due to the pandemic
