Pakistan and the United States held discussions on consular matters on Wednesday, addressing immigration-related developments and visa policies under the administration of US President Donald Trump.
The meeting took place as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two countries, particularly in light of evolving US immigration policies that have impacted visa issuance and travel regulations.
According to an official statement from the Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting, which included US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker, senior officials from the foreign and interior ministries, and other key representatives.
While specific details of the discussions were not disclosed, this marked the second consular meeting between Pakistan and the US within a week. The previous session on March 11 focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing mutual concerns.
Officials indicated that both nations are eager to expand economic and trade relations while also enhancing cooperation in security and counterterrorism efforts.
There was no official confirmation on whether the issue of Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan being denied entry into the US due to visa-related concerns was raised during the talks.
The US administration has also deported several Pakistani nationals in recent months. Pakistani officials have stated that deportations from various countries remain a regular process.
Sources familiar with the meeting revealed that a key point of discussion was the issuance of US visas for Pakistani citizens. The presence of the interior secretary at the meeting reinforced this focus.
This issue has gained prominence following reports of potential changes in US visa policies under the Trump administration. However, the US State Department recently dismissed speculation about possible travel restrictions or bans on specific foreign nationals.
The Foreign Office and Pakistan’s embassy in Washington also clarified that they had not received any official communication regarding Pakistan being included on any travel ban list. Reports had earlier suggested that Pakistan was among countries that could face partial suspension of visa issuance unless specific concerns were addressed within 60 days.
