ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) has barred a senior Pakistani diplomat from entering the country during a private visit, according to media reports.
The incident has raised concerns as the US government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, is reportedly considering a new travel ban that could include Pakistan and Afghanistan due to security and vetting risks.
Sources revealed that Ahsan Wagan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan, was denied entry by US immigration officials upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport during a personal visit. The decision is believed to be linked to allegations of administrative corruption during his previous posting in the US. American authorities, citing these complaints, refused him entry, sources claimed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued an official statement, but diplomatic sources indicate that the matter is under investigation.
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik clarified that the US has not imposed a complete travel ban on Pakistani nationals, though some restrictions might be introduced. He compared the potential measures to those implemented during Trump’s first term when several Muslim-majority countries faced travel limitations.
Speaking on a private news channel, he acknowledged US concerns over rising terrorism-related incidents in Pakistan but reassured that there is no outright ban on Pakistani travelers. He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening counterterrorism measures in response to US concerns highlighted in a recent travel advisory issued on Saturday.
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The US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory, issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, warns of an unpredictable security situation in Pakistan. It highlights the risk of attacks on civilian and government targets, cautioning that terror incidents could occur without warning at transportation hubs, markets, military installations, and public places.