Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, KK Wagan, was denied entry into the United States and subsequently deported from Los Angeles, according to a report by The News, a Pakistani newspaper, citing diplomatic sources, news agency PTI reported.
Despite holding a valid US visa and necessary travel documents, Wagan was stopped by immigration authorities upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, PTI reported, adding that a senior official from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deportation, attributing it to an unspecified immigration-related objection.
“The ambassador faced an immigration issue that led to his deportation,” the PTI reported the official saying. US authorities reportedly forced Wagan to return to his last port of departure, raising concerns over diplomatic protocol and the reasoning behind the decision.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office acknowledged that Wagan had traveled to the US on a private visit and said that an investigation into the matter was underway, PTI reported. The ministry urged against speculation regarding the incident.
The news agency said that sources familiar with the case suggested that Wagan’s name may have been flagged due to “controversial visa references” in the US immigration system, though the exact reasons for his deportation remain unclear.
Wagan is a veteran diplomat with extensive experience in Pakistan’s foreign service. Over the years, he has served in key diplomatic roles, including postings in Kathmandu, Los Angeles, Muscat, and Niamey, as well as senior positions within Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the PTI reported.
Given the gravity of the situation, Wagan is expected to be recalled to Islamabad to provide an explanation, the PTI said. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch have reportedly been briefed on the matter. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry has instructed its consulate in Los Angeles to conduct an inquiry into the incident, as per the news agency. (IE)
