(Image source from: Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit offers visa to Anupam Kher})

Anupam Kher was offered to travel to Karachi, Pakistan, by Abdul Basit, the Pakistan's high commissioner to India, after the actor said that he was denied one. But, Kher said that he already took up other assignments on those dates during which he thought to attend the Karachi Literary Festival.

Basit tweeted today, "@AnupamPkher you are always welcome Sir. You are a great artiste; we respect and admire you."

As a reply, Kher tweeted as, "Thank you Mr. @abasitpak1 for your call & offering me visa to visit Karachi. I appreciate it. Unfortunately I've given away those dates now."

The Pakistan high commission in Delhi said Kher had not submitted application for visa and thus, the question concerning the acceptance or denial does not arise.

Pakistani envoy said in a tweet that, "@AnupamPkher sorry Sir I don't know who told you about this so-called NoC, we are still to receive your visa application and passport."

Replying to this, Kher said in a tweet that, "Dear @abasitpak1, Reality remains that Pak Interior Ministry refused to grant NOC for my visa. 17 others invited also didn't apply for visa."

According to Kher, his Pakistani visa was denied for the third time. He is one of 18 Indians invited for the KLF, which is a four-day event.

Among the remaining 17 are senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid and actor Nandita Das, who were granted the visa.

"I am not angry, I am hurt, upset and somewhere wanting to know the reason. Out of 18 why only I was singled out," Kher said a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The actor said that he is the only one of the 18 others, denied permission to attend the event in Karachi. According to him, the decision could be the influence of his stand on the Kashmiri Pandits issue and his support for the PM over the issue of intolerance.

-Sumana