- I hope the immigration visa process resumes soon: FO spox.
- Andrabi says Pakistan is seeking more details from US authorities.
- Pakistan hopes that peace and stability prevail in Iran, he added.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is in touch with US officials about suspending immigrant visa processing, hoping that the process will “resume soon”, Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.
The statement comes as the US State Department ordered an indefinite pause in processing immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan, starting January 21, 2026.
“The State Department will suspend visa processing for immigrants from 75 countries whose immigrants receive welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates,” the department said in a post on X.
He added that the freeze will remain in effect until the United States can ensure that new immigrants do not extract wealth from the American people.
At a weekly briefing in Islamabad today, the spokesperson said the Foreign Office had also seen a “brief statement” issued by the US State Department on an internal review.
He added that Pakistan is in touch with US authorities to seek more details and described the situation as evolving.
“We are in contact with US authorities to determine further details…this is an evolving story that we are following. We understand that this is an ongoing internal US immigration review process. (We hope) that routine immigrant visa processing will resume soon.
Meanwhile, talking about the tensions between the US and Iran, FO spokesperson said that Pakistan is closely monitoring the ongoing developments in Tehran.
He said Iran is Pakistan’s neighboring country and an important member of the international community.
“Pakistan hopes that peace and stability will prevail in Iran,” he said, while reaffirming its support for all efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution of the situation.
“We want to see Iran as a friendly and brotherly country, peaceful and prosperous,” Andrabi said.
Indian Army’s allegations ‘baseless’
The spokesperson also rejected the baseless allegations leveled by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
The rebuttal came against the statements of General Dwivedi, who accused Pakistan of “drone intrusions”, stating that at least eight drones had been sighted since Saturday.
“I think these drones were defensive drones, that they want to go up and see if any action was being taken,” the general told reporters at an annual news conference on January 13.
Expanding on the Indian army chief’s allegations, Andrabi said New Delhi’s rhetoric is old, conventional and misleading. “These allegations are damaging India’s own reputation,” the spokesperson said.
“There is undeniable evidence that India funds and facilitates terrorism in Pakistan, and Indian-backed terrorist networks have been identified in the region, including Afghanistan,” he added.
