Pakistan and the United States engaged in discussions on consular issues on Wednesday, as the Trump administration continues reviewing visa policies and enforcing stricter immigration measures. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, was attended by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha, and other senior officials. This was the second such meeting between the two countries within a week, reflecting the urgency of ongoing concerns over immigration, visa policies, and deportations under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Visa Restrictions and Immigration Policy Overhaul
The timing of the high-level meeting was significant, as it coincided with reports suggesting that Pakistan could be subjected to partial suspension of visa issuance if it failed to address certain deficiencies within 60 days. Although the US State Department dismissed reports of a travel ban list, concerns remain over potential restrictions on Pakistani nationals.
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Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that discussions focused heavily on visa issuance for Pakistanis, as well as broader consular affairs, including passport and travel advisory matters. The presence of Pakistan’s interior secretary in the meeting further reinforced the notion that visa-related issues were a priority.
Deportations and Repatriation Talks
The Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration has led to the deportation of several Pakistanis who had been residing in the US without proper documentation. Last month, Pakistan accepted the return of eight nationals, marking the first batch of deportees under Trump’s stricter immigration policies.
Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan previously stated that Pakistan and the US are actively collaborating on repatriation processes for Pakistani nationals ordered to be removed from the US. The ongoing deportation efforts and discussions on readmission procedures were also key topics in Wednesday’s meeting.
Bilateral Ties and Strategic Cooperation
While consular matters dominated the discussions, officials also emphasized the broader US-Pakistan relationship, which is shaped by security concerns, trade, education, and regional stability. Strengthening economic ties and counterterrorism cooperation remain high on the agenda for both countries.
Observers believe that Pakistan’s proactive engagement on consular issues signals its commitment to addressing US concerns and maintaining strong diplomatic ties. The meetings also come at a crucial time, as the Trump administration pushes forward with its immigration overhaul, impacting visa policies worldwide.
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Despite speculation about potential travel restrictions on Pakistan, both US and Pakistani officials have downplayed such claims, reiterating that no official travel ban list has been shared. Nonetheless, Islamabad appears keen on ensuring that diplomatic relations remain smooth amid evolving US immigration policies.