- KK Wagan was travelling to Los Angeles for personal visit.
- Ambassador flagged with “controversial visa references.”
- Wagan likely to be called back to Islamabad to explain position.
In a rare and unusual diplomatic incident, the United States denied entry to Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, KK Ahsan Wagan, and deported him from Los Angeles, diplomatic sources confirmed on Monday.
“Ambassador KK Wagan was deported from US; he had an immigration objection which led to his deportation,” a senior Foreign Ministry official confirmed to Geo News.
Ambassador Wagan, who holds a valid US visa and all necessary travel documents, was reportedly travelling to Los Angeles for a personal visit when he was stopped by US immigration authorities upon arrival, sources said.
The officials then forced him to return to his last port of departure, raising concerns about diplomatic protocol and the nature of the decision.
According to diplomatic sources, the US immigration system flagged Wagan over “controversial visa references,” leading to his immediate deportation. It remains unclear what specific concerns triggered this response from American authorities.
Wagan is a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in Pakistan’s foreign service. Over the years, he has held several key assignments, including:
- Second Secretary at the Embassy of Pakistan in Kathmandu, Nepal (2000-2004)
- Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles (2006-2009)
- Deputy Head of Mission / Counsellor in Muscat, Oman (2009-2013)
- Minister / Charge d’Affaires (a.p) / Head of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan in Niamey, Niger (2015-2019)
- Ambassador at the Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat, Oman (2019-2022)
- Director General for Overseas Pakistanis, Consular Affairs, and Crisis Management Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, since February 2022
Given the seriousness of the situation, Ambassador Wagan is also likely to be called back to Islamabad to explain his position, sources added.
The incident has already been communicated to Pakistan’s top diplomatic leadership. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch have been briefed on the matter, while Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has directed its consulate in Los Angeles to investigate the case, sources told Geo News.
Efforts to reach Ambassador Wagan for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Similarly, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has refrained from issuing an official statement on the matter.
The incident raises questions about US-Pakistan diplomatic relations, particularly at a time when the two countries are navigating complex geopolitical challenges. Whether this was a bureaucratic mishap, a policy shift, or something more remains to be seen.
