Pakistan holding up some US visas

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 (AP): Pakistan has held up visas for US diplomats, military service members and others, apparently because of hostility within the country toward the expansion of US operations in Pakistan, a senior US diplomat said Wednesday.
American diplomats have also been stopped repeatedly at Pakistani checkpoints as part of what US officials say is a wider focus on foreigners working in Pakistan. US cars are searched, although diplomats are told to open the trunk but to refuse access to the passenger compartment.
The visa holdup is the latest tangible sign of the volatility of official US-Pakistani relations. The two nations have an improving military relationship but mistrust and suspicion still shadow many government interactions, including US attempts to help Pakistan.
The visa clampdown seems to be a reaction to widespread anti-American sentiment, even though many of the affected workers would be doing jobs that bring aid and other help to Pakistan.