Pak govt's decision on Kher's visa should be respected: Tharoor

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said that Pakistan Government's decision to deny visa to Bollywood actor Anupam Kher should be respected as it is their 'sovereign business' to grant or reject visas.

He, however, said that it was a pity that Kher's fans were denied an opportunity to interact with him in Karachi.

"Anupam Kher is one of the great actors. He has lot of respect from all of us, and i sure he has a fan following in Pakistan as well. It's a pity if Anupam Kher fans are denied an opportunity to hear him," Tharoor told ANI.

"Secondly, as an Indian MP I have to respect the right of the Pakistan Government to decide whom they should give visa to and whom they should not. That is their sovereign business. We can say its pity but it is their decision," he added.

Kher, who was to attend the Karachi Literature Festival on February 5, has been denied visa by Pakistan.

However, Pakistani High Commission to India Abdul Basit has reiterated that they have received no visa application from the actor.

Kher earlier accused the Pakistan High Commission of lying on the claims that he never applied for visa.

The actor was denied a Pakistani visa in May 2015 as well, when he wanted to visit Pakistan to attend a literary festival in Lahore.