Journalists to seek clearance for visit to Gaza | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Journalists to seek clearance for visit to Gaza

ISLAMABAD – Ministry of Information has advised journalists that while applying for visa in Islamabad for visit to Gaza a request be sent to its External Publicity Wing so that clearance process could start immediately and they do not face difficulty upon their arrival in Cairo.
A Press release issued by Press Information Department (PID) here said, “It has been brought to the notice through fax message from Pakistan Embassy in Cairo that some of the philanthropists and media persons from Pakistan faced difficulties in getting entry into Gaza due to the clearance procedure followed in Egypt.”
It is mentioned that it is not the Egyptian Foreign Office but their internal security which precisely has the authority for clearance of foreigners for entry into Gaza. The PID further clarified that any media person intending to go for coverage in Gaza must get clearance from the internal security through the Egyptian Foreign Office before their onward journey to Gaza via Rafa crossing. Issuance of visas by the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad is therefore not to be taken as a for-mal go ahead for entry into Gaza.
Our mission in Egypt has advised that while applying for visa.
Source: The Nation
Date:1/28/2009