Developing political situation in Pakistan

[mannypk]

Hello everyone,

I'm sure most of you have been following the news. Things are coming to a head in Pakistan. The dissolution of the elected assembly in a province, the long march and now sit in and finally the orders for the arrest of the Prime Minister.

The consular section of the BHC in Islamabad has been closed and there unconfirmed reports that so has the VAC centre in Islamabad.

Do you think all this will have a negative impact in visa processing times?

Can we please also use this thread to post updates on the whether the BHC or VAC are opened or not.

[Phase7]

Hello everyone,

I'm sure most of you have been following the news. Things are coming to a head in Pakistan. The dissolution of the elected assembly in a province, the long march and now sit in and finally the orders for the arrest of the Prime Minister.

The consular section of the BHC in Islamabad has been closed and there unconfirmed reports that so has the VAC centre in Islamabad.

Do you think all this will have a negative impact in visa processing times?

Can we please also use this thread to post updates on the whether the BHC or VAC are opened or not.

Definitely this will delay visa processing in all categories and the ones to suffer the most will be the applicants waiting to unite/re-unite with their spouses/family.

As reported by the media, "BHC Isb has instructed it's staff to stay at home, not to come to the Embassy and to report from home" (indefinitely)

As far as I understand the 'British' staff has residential quarters within the Embassy grounds itself. I reckon this instruction is for the 'Local' staff because more than likely the 'British' staff must have been flown out to UK in view of the volatile situation of the capital.
God help us.

[Phase7]

[Phase7]

[mannypk]

@ Phase7

Thank you very much for the update!! That is really informative.

Seems like the situation is getting worse now.

Reports of a protests, over a terrorist attack, in Peshawar as well.

[Phase7]

@ Phase7

Thank you very much for the update!! That is really informative.

Seems like the situation is getting worse now.

Reports of a protests, over a terrorist attack, in Peshawar as well.

Slightly off the topic but the info below is beyond my comprehension.

Although I do appreciate that towards every December there are lesser settlement applications submitted/decided from Pakistan, but it defies intellect that 1461 settlement decisions were issued for Isb applicants and NIL/ZERO/ZILCH settlement decisions for Khi/Lhe/Mir in December 2012??

[mannypk]

@ Phase 7

I'm as confused as you are about the figures.

The Karachi BHC only made 2 settlement decisions in November.

Maybe all settlement decisions are being forwarded to Islamabad. However, I do remember reading that the Abu Dhabi office was processing all non-settlement applications with settlement applications being decided by the UKBA in Croydon.

All of it is very confusing. Maybe some of the other readers can help out here.

[Phase7]

@ Phase 7

I'm as confused as you are about the figures.

The Karachi BHC only made 2 settlement decisions in November.

Maybe all settlement decisions are being forwarded to Islamabad. However, I do remember reading that the Abu Dhabi office was processing all non-settlement applications with settlement applications being decided by the UKBA in Croydon.

All of it is very confusing. Maybe some of the other readers can help out here.

Boss, The British Deputy High Commission Khi does not decide nor handle any visa applications for any category.

Logically I would say that the processing times indicated on UKBA website against respective cities means the number of applications decided FOR the relevant city BY Islamabad BHC.

Applications are collected by VAC Khi/Lhe/Mir and forwarded to BHC Isb.
Then:

http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/w ... amabad.pdf



Moreover:



From the above data it can be sussed out that all processing/decisions for the said visa categories are done at BHC Isb, with the exception of Sponsor verification checks in some cases which may be referred to Croydon.

[Phase7]

However, It's not mentioned in these notices if they have resumed operating fully including the processing of visa applications.

[mannypk]

Thanks for the information on where the applications are processed.

Good news that the BHC has opened. I was getting concerned that they would remain closed till the conclusion on the sit in.

Even if they haven't resumed processing, at least they are in the office now.

Lets keep out fingers crossed for now.

[Phase7]

Let the (waiting) games begin...again.

[Phase7]