Lithuania's Foreign Ministry denies easing visa rules for Pakistani citizens
Lithuania's Foreign Ministry called reports that it had eased visa requirements for Pakistani citizens "manipulation". It says the rules are unchanged and the topic was not discussed at recent consultations.
Lithuania's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday rejected a claim, widely shared on social media, that the country had eased visa rules for Pakistani citizens. The ministry described the information as an attempt to manipulate the issue and stressed that visa requirements for Pakistani citizens remain unchanged.
Where the claim came from
The claim first surfaced on a Pakistani news website and on social media, where it was attributed to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The reports drew on a statement by the Pakistani ministry announcing a meeting between Lithuanian and Pakistani diplomats.
What actually happened
The meeting did take place: Ayesha Ali, Pakistan's ambassador and foreign secretary for European affairs, met Lithuania's Deputy Foreign Minister Vidmantas Verbickas. However, the agendas published by both ministries show that easing visa procedures was not on the table.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry reiterated that changes to visa requirements were not discussed during the consultations and that no decisions were taken.
