Pakistan Among 41 Nations Facing Potential Trump Travel Ban: Report
Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan are among 41 countries likely to face travel restrictions to the US under a draft proposal from the Donald Trump administration, Reuters reported. The move, aimed at curbing illegal immigration, expands on Trump’s first-term travel bans targeting majority-Muslim nations.
A draft list accessed by Reuters outlines a three-tiered travel ban affecting 41 nations. Pakistan falls in a group of 26 countries facing partial visa suspensions if deficiencies in security vetting are not addressed within 60 days. The proposed curbs surpass Trump’s earlier restrictions on seven Muslim-majority countries, upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Ten countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, and Syria, are on a “red list” slated for a complete visa suspension. Five others—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—face partial restrictions on tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with some exceptions. Pakistan shares its group with nations like Turkmenistan, Belarus, Bhutan, and Vanuatu.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry downplayed the reports as unconfirmed. “As of now, this is all speculative and hence does not warrant a response,” said spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan. The statement follows the recent deportation of Pakistan’s ambassador to Turkmenistan, KK Ahsan Wagan, from Los Angeles over “controversial visa references.”
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The proposal stems from an executive order signed by Trump on January 20, his first day in office. It mandates rigorous vetting of foreigners entering the US to identify security threats, expanding his immigration agenda. Officials indicated the list remains under review and could see changes before final approval.
The potential ban adds strain to US-Pakistan relations, already tested by Wagan’s deportation this week. The US has not clarified the reasons behind the envoy’s removal, citing only immigration system alerts. Pakistan’s inclusion in the draft has sparked concerns over its vetting processes and bilateral ties.
The Trump administration is expected to finalize the travel ban list by March 21, as mandated by the executive order. Pakistan and other affected nations await official confirmation, with possible diplomatic responses looming. Further clarity on the restrictions and their implementation is anticipated in the coming days.
