NOC for travel in country: deadlock persists on list of US diplomats

Deadlock persists between Pakistan and the US in resolving the issue of travel instructions with regard to American diplomats following issuance of 30-day No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the diplomatic staff at the US embassy. Diplomatic sources said that the two countries were in contact to resolve the matter amicably on permanent basis owing to their interests.
Following the recent visit of Marc Grossman, US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, to Islamabad, sources said that the two sides have agreed to get one-month travel NOC for American diplomats. They said that Islamabad wants Washington to provide a list of diplomats on six-month basis, which the latter is reluctant to agree, which has created a deadlock between the two sides to reach any conclusion. However, sources said that both countries were still in contact to resolve the matter on once for all.
Foreign ministry sources said that Islamabad has conveyed to Washington that a permanent solution to the matter would be possible only when detailed information of all CIA operatives in Pakistan will be made available to Islamabad. The travel restriction on the US diplomats by Pakistan is the latest in a series of Pakistan-US row that emerged following US Navy SEALs that killed Osama bin Laden on May 2. Since then, Pakistan has asked for withdrawal of all CIA operatives and military trainers from the country. Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua could not be contacted for comments despite repeated attempts on her cell phone.
Interior Ministry sources told Business Recorder that the ministry has issued directives to police and law enforcement agencies not to allow any diplomat to move in the country without having proper permission and the NoC. They said that the Foreign Office had notified to all foreign missions in Islamabad that diplomats would require a no-objection certificate (NoC) while travelling to different parts of the country.
sources said that Interior Ministry was not issuing travel NoC directly to foreign diplomats but process is started after receiving request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No diplomat is directly authorised to approach the Interior Ministry for seeking NoC for travel in the country, but apply to Foreign Office, which will forward the request to Interior Ministry, sources said.
They said that obtaining the NoC was made necessary for diplomats keeping in view the current law and order situation of the country and to protect the foreign guests. The NoC is being issued regarding their travel in Pakistan to ensure their security and safety, they said. After receiving request from Foreign Office, the Interior Ministry is making necessary verifications for the sake of safety and security of the diplomats, they said, adding that after receiving input from law enforcement agencies, the NoC is being issued.
A security expert when contacted said that the main cause of restrictions was travel of under-cover foreign intelligence agents, who have been posted in Pakistan as diplomats. Earlier, the interior ministry used to issue NoC for arm licences to foreign diplomats, and commissioners were authorised to issue licences in their respective jurisdictions. However, the ministry banned the practice after the media reported that some diplomats threatened police officials in the federal and provincial capitals, the expert added.