Pakistan, US hold talks to clarify consular issues amid visa uncertainty

• Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chairs talks between Pakistan, US.
• Both sides keen to strengthen economic trade ties: FO officials.
• Issue of granting US visas to Pakistanis focus of talks, say sources.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States engaged in discussions on consular issues on Wednesday, reflecting the evolving immigration stance of US President Donald Trump's administration.

This meeting comes amid significant changes to immigration-related executive orders and heightened scrutiny of illegal immigration, impacting tourism and visa policies.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said: "Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today chaired a meeting to discuss ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and the US on consular issues. 

"US Charge d’Affaires Mrs Natalie A Baker, federal secretaries of foreign affairs and interior and other senior officials attended the meeting."

Although further details of the high-stakes meeting at the Foreign Office were not disclosed, the latest meeting marks the second such dialogue between the two nations within a week.

The previous meeting, held on March 11, focused on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing mutual concerns.

Officials from the Foreign Office indicated that the two sides are keen on enhancing economic trade ties, as well as collaborating in counterterrorism and security efforts.

At the time, the Foreign Office had not commented on whether the issue of Pakistan's ambassador to Turkmenistan being denied entry into the US due to "controversial visa references" had been taken up.

The Trump administration has also deported several illegal Pakistanis in US planes; the Foreign Office has called deportations of Pakistanis from different countries an ongoing process.

Sources with knowledge of the matter told The News that the focus of Wednesday's meeting was the issue of granting US visas to Pakistanis — and the presence of the interior secretary also pointed in that direction.

This issue has copped up in the aftermath of reports speaking of the Trump administration making sweeping changes as far as visas go.

Another official commented: "It was a routine consultation where consular issues like passports and visas were also discussed."

On Tuesday night, the US State Department had squashed reports that the Trump administration was likely to put travel restrictions on foreigners or that there was any travel ban list.

Additionally, the Foreign Office and Pakistan's embassy in Washington had said that officially the US had not shared any travel ban list, in response to reports that had shown Pakistan included in a group of countries which would be subjected to varying degrees of travel.

According to these reports, Pakistan was included in the group that would be considered for a partial suspension of visa issuance if their governments "do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days."