The United States, under President Donald Trump’s administration, is preparing to impose travel restrictions on citizens from 41 countries, including Pakistan. However, Pakistan has been given a 60-day window to avoid being added to this list.
The countries are divided into three categories: Red, Orange, and Yellow. The Red category includes countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, where citizens will face a complete travel ban to the US. The Orange category includes Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, where citizens will face travel restrictions except for student and tourist visas. Pakistan, along with 25 other countries, is in the Yellow category, meaning restrictions have not been imposed yet but will be based on observations over the next 60 days.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that it is actively engaging with the US government to resolve the situation. The US has reportedly held off on sanctions in light of Pakistan’s cooperation after a 2021 bombing attack at Kabul Airport, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US soldiers.
Sources suggest that this opportunity could allow Pakistan to avoid full sanctions, but the decision will depend on the next two months of diplomatic engagement.