- KK Wagan went to Los Angeles for a personal visit.
- The ambassador reported “controversial visa references”.
- Wagan is likely to be recalled in Islamabad to explain the position.
In a rare and unusual diplomatic incident, the United States denied entry to the Pakistan ambassador to Turkmenistan, KK Ahsan Wagan, and expelled him from Los Angeles, diplomatic sources confirmed on Monday.
“Ambassador KK Wagan has been expelled from us; He had an immigration objection which led to his expulsion, “confirmed a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Geo News.
Ambassador Wagan, who holds a valid American visa and all the necessary travel documents, would have visited Los Angeles for a personal visit when he was arrested by the US immigration authorities upon arrival, sources said.
The officials then forced him to return to his last departure port, which raises concerns about the diplomatic protocol and the nature of the decision.
According to diplomatic sources, the American immigration system reported Wagan on “controversial visa references”, leading to its immediate deportation. We still do not know what specific concerns have triggered this response from the American authorities.
Wagan is a seasoned diplomat with a large experience in the external service of Pakistan. Over the years, he has held several key missions, in particular:
- Second secretary at the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal (2000-2004)
- The Deputy Consul General at the Pakistan Consulate General in Los Angeles (2006-2009)
- Head of Mission / Deputy Advisor to Muscat, Oman (2009-2013)
- Minister / Business Office (AP) / Head of Mission at the Pakistan Embassy in Niamey, Niger (2015-2019)
- Ambassador at the Pakistan Embassy in Muscat, Oman (2019-2022)
- Director General of Overseas Pakistani, consular affairs and crisis management unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, since February 2022
Given the severity of the situation, the ambassador Wagan is also likely to be recalled in Islamabad to explain his position, added sources.
The incident has already been communicated to the best diplomatic leaders in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Affairs Secretary Aamna Baloch were informed of the issue, while the Pakistan Foreign Ministry ordered his consulate in Los Angeles to investigate the case, said sources Geo News.
Efforts to reach the Wagan ambassador to comment have failed because he did not respond to calls or messages. Likewise, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has refrained from publishing an official declaration on the issue.
The incident raises questions about American-Pakistani diplomatic relations, especially at a time when the two countries sail on complex geopolitical challenges. Whether it is a bureaucratic accident, a change in policy or something more to see.