Amid the escalating diplomatic row between the two countries, the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, in an apparent protest, has stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis, said an official yesterday. The decision was taken as a visa extension application submitted by Bangladesh diplomat Muhammad Iqbal Hossain, Counsellor (Press) at Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad, remained pending for over four months.

Iqbal submitted the application to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January last which was sent to its Ministry of Interior later but there has been no positive response so far, the official added.

A diplomat in Islamabad said the post of visa officer remained vacant since November last and Iqbal was looking into the section in addition to his current charge.

"As a sign of protest, he (Iqbal) stopped issuing visas to Pakistanis for the last one week," the diplomat told, adding that it is not the kind of closure through any official announcement.