This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8195284.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Anger at Pakistani pipe band ban | Anger at Pakistani pipe band ban |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The UK Border Agency has been accused of embarrassing Scotland by refusing entry visas for a Pakistani business delegation and pipe band. | The UK Border Agency has been accused of embarrassing Scotland by refusing entry visas for a Pakistani business delegation and pipe band. |
| About 30 members of Lahore Pipe Band will be unable to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. | About 30 members of Lahore Pipe Band will be unable to compete in the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow. |
| A trade delegation from the city, which is twinned with Glasgow, has also been refused visas. | A trade delegation from the city, which is twinned with Glasgow, has also been refused visas. |
| Hanzala Malik, executive member for Glasgow City Council's international affairs, said the move was "ludicrous". | |
| It is understood that the UK Border Agency turned down visa applications for almost all of those applying for visits to Glasgow from three Pakistani groups. | It is understood that the UK Border Agency turned down visa applications for almost all of those applying for visits to Glasgow from three Pakistani groups. |
| The majority of the members of the Lahore Pipe Band, who have taken part in the World Pipe Band Championships for the past four years, were refused entry. | The majority of the members of the Lahore Pipe Band, who have taken part in the World Pipe Band Championships for the past four years, were refused entry. |
| The situation is ludicrous and the applications being approved or turned down are simply not consistent Councillor Hanzala MalikGlasgow City Council | |
| A delegation of business people and officials from Lahore was also turned down. | A delegation of business people and officials from Lahore was also turned down. |
| Visas applications were also rejected from members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Lahore District Government, who had been due to arrive in Glasgow for trade meetings. | Visas applications were also rejected from members of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Lahore District Government, who had been due to arrive in Glasgow for trade meetings. |
| Mr Malik, who represents the Hillhead ward, said the decisions had damaged Scotland's reputation and Glasgow had lost out on valuable income. | |
| "The situation is ludicrous and the applications being approved or turned down are simply not consistent. | "The situation is ludicrous and the applications being approved or turned down are simply not consistent. |
| "The city has lost out on important meetings and income as a result of this error." | "The city has lost out on important meetings and income as a result of this error." |
| 'Goodwill lost' | 'Goodwill lost' |
| He added: "The Lahore Chamber of Commerce had their applications refused despite the British High Commissioner in Islamabad saying he was glad the delegation were coming to Glasgow. | |
| "The deputy mayor of Lahore was the only member of the district government delegation who was allowed entry - even his wife was refused a visa. | "The deputy mayor of Lahore was the only member of the district government delegation who was allowed entry - even his wife was refused a visa. |
| "It's crazy. The pipe band have been here for four of the last championships. | "It's crazy. The pipe band have been here for four of the last championships. |
| "Why are they being stopped from coming this year - with all the goodwill and spending they'd have done here being lost to the city?" | "Why are they being stopped from coming this year - with all the goodwill and spending they'd have done here being lost to the city?" |
| The UK Border Agency has, so far, made no comment. | The UK Border Agency has, so far, made no comment. |