How will the visa section closure impact Afghan citizens seeking services in Pakistan?

Question

Accepted Answer

Indefinite Closure of Pakistan Embassy's Kabul Consular Office to Disrupt Afghan Services

The indefinite closure of the Pakistani embassy's consular office in Kabul, including its visa section, is expected to significantly impact Afghan citizens seeking essential services in Pakistan. This decision, attributed to security concerns, will affect daily applications for medical treatment, trade, and university education. While the Kabul office has ceased operations, Pakistani consular services are still accessible in Herat, Jalalabad, and Mazar-i-Sharif.
Disruption to Essential Travel Facilitation

The closure of the Kabul consular section will create substantial hurdles for Afghans who rely on these services for vital travel. Typically, this office processed approximately 1,500 visa applications each day, catering to individuals needing to access healthcare, conduct business, or pursue higher education in Pakistan. The indefinite nature of the closure means a significant disruption to these established pathways for cross-border movement.
Security Concerns Cited for Closure

Pakistan's embassy in Kabul cited security reasons for the indefinite closure of its consular services. This decision follows a period of heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan's foreign ministry summoning the Afghan charge d'affaires to express grave concerns over the safety of its diplomatic personnel and facilities in Kabul. Reports indicate that embassy staff have experienced harassment, including being obstructed on the road and having embassy vehicles targeted.
Availability of Alternative Consular Locations

Despite the closure in Kabul, Pakistani consular services continue to operate in other Afghan cities. The embassy spokesman confirmed that consular sections in Herat, Jalalabad, and Mazar-i-Sharif remain open. For urgent visa needs, applicants have been advised to consider travelling to Jalalabad, suggesting that while services are curtailed in the capital, alternative access points are still available, albeit potentially requiring longer travel distances for many.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

How will the visa section closure impact Afghan citizens seeking services in Pakistan?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

3

0

0

Share with friends