Pakistan is in contact with U.S. officials on the suspension of immigrant visa processing and hopes the process will “resume soon,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the U.S. State Department announced an indefinite pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, including Pakistan, with the order going into effect on Jan. 21, 2026. In a statement, it said the restriction targeted nationals of countries whose migrants availed welfare benefits at “unacceptable” rates. The restrictions do not apply to any other visa category, including tourism, business and student visas.
In his weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Islamabad is seeking further details from the U.S., adding the situation is evolving. “We understand this is internal ongoing process of review of U.S. immigration. [We] hope that routine processing of immigrant visa will resume soon,” he added.
Andrabi also addressed ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, hoping peace and stability would be restored in the neighboring nation. “We want to see Iran as a friend and brotherly country, peaceful and prosperous,” he said.
Additionally, the spokesperson rejected remarks of Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who recently accused Pakistan of intruding into Indian territory with drones. Terming the allegations baseless and politically motivated, he said the rhetoric was old, conventional, and misleading. “Such allegations are damaging India’s own reputation,” he maintained, reiterating evidence of Indian financing and facilitation of terrorism in Pakistan.