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UK visa fee goes up | Hafsa students protest
UK visa fee goes up
Islamabad, April 01, 2008: The British High Commission (BHC) in Islamabad on
Monday announced on Monday that it would be increasing visa fees for the United
Kingdom from today (Tuesday). A BHC statement said that the fee increase applied
globally. It said the increase had been calculated to cover the cost of recent
improvements to the UK visa service, including the establishment of visa
application centres and the introduction of a points based system. The Direct
Airside Transit Visa (DATV) fee has been increased to £45 (Rs 5,850); Visit
Visas - single and multiple visits up to 6 months, eg 6 month visit, medical
treatment, visit for marriage/CP to £65 (Rs 8450); Premium Visas - longer term
multiple visits two, five and 10 Year Multiple Entry Visas to £205 (Rs 26,650);
all Students Visas and student dependent applications have been increased to £99
(Rs 12,870). Employment Visas eg Permit free employment are now at £205 (Rs
26,650).
Hafsa students protest outside Zardari House
Islamabad: Dozens of female students of Jamia Hafsa protested
outside Zardari House here on Monday, and demanded the release of Lal Masjid
cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz.
Led by human rights activist Khalid Khawaja,
the students carried placards and banners inscribed with slogans against
President Pervez Musharraf, and called for the immediate release of Maulana
Aziz. The security around Zardari House was tightened ahead of the protest, as a
heavy contingent of police was deployed there.
Khawaja went to Zardari
House but failed to meet Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of the Pakistan
People's Party (PPP), and handed over the demands of the protesters to party
officials. The students demanded the reconstruction of Jamia Hafsa in accordance
with a judgment given by the Supreme Court. The students refused to end their
protest unless Zardari met them. However, they ended the protest after PPP
leaders Fauzia Wahab and Zamurd Khan assured them that their demands would be
conveyed to the co-chairman. Daily Times
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