Pakistanis May Face Travel Restrictions, Not Blanket Ban
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has said that while the US administration has not imposed a blanket ban on Pakistani nationals traveling to the United States, certain travel restrictions may be introduced.
His comments come in response to reports that US President Donald Trump’s administration is reviewing security and vetting risks, potentially leading to a new travel ban that could include Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to sources, the proposed restrictions are expected to resemble those enforced during the President’s first term, which saw travel limitations placed on multiple majority-Muslim countries.
Speaking on Geo News' program "Geo Pakistan", he noted that while the US has expressed concerns over the surge in terrorism-related incidents in Pakistan, it has not imposed an outright travel ban on Pakistanis.
He reiterated the nation's commitment to strengthening counterterrorism efforts in response to concerns raised by the United States in a recent travel advisory, issued on Saturday, urging American citizens to reconsider travel to the country due to security risks.
The US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory, issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, warns that Pakistan's security situation remains unpredictable, with the potential for attacks on a range of civilian and government targets. It cautions that terror incidents could occur with little or no warning, affecting transportation hubs, markets, military installations, and public spaces.
The advisory follows the release of the Global Terrorism Index 2025, which ranked Pakistan as the world’s second-most terrorism-affected country in 2024.
The country saw a 45% rise in terrorism-related deaths, with fatalities surging from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of terror attacks more than doubled, exceeding 1,000 for the first time since the index’s inception.
Malik emphasised the importance of expanding and improving counterterrorism cooperation, acknowledging that Pakistan must work to improve its security framework in collaboration with international partners. - The News
