Pakistan government sources reported the deportation of British journalist Charles Glass for “violating” the terms of his visa conditions after he attempted to visit the jailed former premier Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, according to The News on Friday.
Charles Glass, reportedly a friend of Khan, arrived in Islamabad last week and sought permission to visit the former prime minister. However, the government denied his request, according to media reports.
A source in the Pakistan Interior Ministry stated that Glass had obtained a visit visa from the Pakistan High Commission in London, providing an affidavit that he was visiting the country as a tourist to meet friends, and would not engage in any journalistic or campaigning activities.
The source explained: “The author was visiting Pakistan on a visit/tourist visa. When a journalist is visiting a country on a visit/tourist visa, he is not allowed to engage in journalistic activities. Nevertheless, Glass started journalistic activities which is against media ethics, international norms, and procedures. This was the reason for his deportation.”
Contradicting this, a source in the Pakistan High Commission suggested Glass might have obtained his visa from Italy as a tourist, not from London. The source told Geo: “We have no record for him. We have heard he got a tourist visa from Italy. It’s clear Charles Glass broke Pakistani rules. Tourist visas prohibit any form of paid or freelance work, including journalism. Engaging in professional activities without the appropriate visa is considered a violation of immigration and labour laws.”
Interior Ministry sources reported that Glass was detained by police at a residence in Islamabad where he was staying and subsequently escorted to Islamabad airport for deportation.
