Burney episode regrettable: New Delhi

New Delhi: New Delhi on Saturday said that denying entry to Pakistani Minister Ansar Burney to India was regrettable and he was always welcome to visit the country.
Mr. Burney, a prominent human rights figure of Pakistan, arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the Capital on Friday night from Dubai. He was denied entry by the immigration official on duty “on account of inadequate documentation” and sent back on the same flight. Mr. Burney had come to attend a conference on terrorism.
An embarrassed Union Home Ministry quickly ordered an inquiry into the entire affair and clarified on Saturday that Mr. Burney was “not deported” but denied entry.
“The inconvenience to Mr. Burney is unfortunate and regrettable and he is always welcome to visit India. This has also been conveyed to him by a senior officer who spoke to Mr. Burney on Saturday,” Union Home Ministry said in a clarification issued on Saturday.
On its part, the Ministry of External Affairs also sought details about the Burney episode from the Home Ministry, asking why Mr. Burney, who has been fighting for the cause of Indian prisoners in Pakistan, was sent back, sources said.
01/06/08 The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Jun 2008, Foreign Jun 2008