Pakistan monitoring reports of US visa pause, says Foreign Office

Islamabad says in contact with Washington as Trump administration plans visa processing suspension

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan said on Thursday it is in contact with US authorities and closely monitoring the situation after reports emerged that Washington plans to suspend visa processing for applicants from dozens of countries, including Pakistan.

“The US is reviewing its visa policies, and we hope it will restore visas for Pakistan soon,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said during the ministry’s weekly briefing.

The Trump administration has announced it will suspend visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. Reports first cited by Fox News said the suspension would apply to immigrant visas, including those for employment and family reunification. Non-immigrant visas, such as student and tourist visas, will not be affected. This means travel for events such as this summer’s World Cup in the United States will continue. The pause is expected to begin on January 21.

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Addressing regional developments, Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke by phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the situation in the neighbouring country. He said Pakistan continues to ensure that its territory and airspace are not used against Iran.

He also referred to an advisory issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on January 12, urging social media users to avoid sharing sensational “breaking news” about alleged military actions. Andrabi said propaganda pages operated from Afghanistan and India had falsely claimed that the United States was using Pakistan as a base for an imminent strike on Iran.

Dar also held separate calls with the foreign ministers of Uzbekistan, Myanmar and Iran, as well as Indonesia’s minister for investment, to discuss bilateral relations, regional issues and trade cooperation.

The Foreign Office briefing also highlighted efforts to bring back Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan and Iran. Andrabi said a large number of students in Iran had reached Gwadar with the help of the Pakistani embassy. By Wednesday, around 54 students had returned, with more expected in the coming days.

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On India, Andrabi criticised New Delhi for violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions in Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s stance on lawful trade with Iran and stable trade relations with the United States.

The ministry confirmed Pakistan’s participation in the Gaza peace process through the Arab-Islamic group and restated its support for a free and independent Palestinian state under the Abraham Accords framework.

The briefing also noted a telephone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Emir of Qatar, during which both leaders expressed satisfaction with the state of bilateral cooperation.