Pakistan monitors reports of US visa suspension, says foreign ministry

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan said Thursday that it is in touch 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 United States is reviewing its visa policies and we hope it will restore visas for Pakistan soon,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said during the ministry’s weekly briefing.

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

Read: Can Pakistan afford regime change in Iran?

Addressing regional developments, Andrabi said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke on the phone with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss the situation in the neighboring 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 sites operated from Afghanistan and India had falsely claimed that the United States was using Pakistan as a base for an imminent attack on Iran.

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

The Ministry of External Affairs briefing also highlighted efforts to bring back Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan and Iran. Andrabi said that a large number of students in Iran had reached Gwadar with the help of the Pakistani embassy. As of Wednesday, about 54 students had returned and more were expected in the coming days.

Read more: Pakistan’s passport rises five places to 98th in the world rankings

Turning to India, Andrabi criticized New Delhi for violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions in Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s stance on legal 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 reaffirmed its support for a free and independent Palestinian state within the framework of the Abraham Accords.

Also highlighted in the briefing was a phone call between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Emir of Qatar, during which both leaders expressed satisfaction with the state of bilateral cooperation.