Afghan Students Association Condemns Pakistan’s New Visa Regulations Amid Ongoing Strain

The International Afghan Students Association has criticized Pakistan’s new student visa policy, stating that hundreds of Afghan students have been waiting for visas for months. The association considers the requirement to have a Pakistani sponsor impractical and has announced the launch of a global campaign to draw diplomatic attention…

Criticism of Pakistan’s New Visa Policy

The International Afghan Students Association announced that the Pakistani government has changed its visa issuance policy for Afghan students. According to these changes, Afghan students are required to introduce a Pakistani sponsor to obtain a visa; a measure that this association claims is unrealistic and difficult.

Afghan Students Have Been Waiting for Months

According to the International Afghan Students Association, this policy has caused hundreds of Afghan students, who have been waiting for visas for about eight months, to face uncertainty. Many of these students had previously been accepted under official scholarship programs recognized by the two governments.

Requirement of a Pakistani Sponsor; An Unnecessary Barrier

The association’s statement indicates that the necessity of having a Pakistani sponsor has severely complicated the visa issuance process and has created an unnecessary obstacle for Afghan youth to continue their education. This entity has urged Pakistani authorities to reconsider the new policy and allow students to pursue their studies without discrimination.

Launch of a Global Campaign to Seek International Support

The International Afghan Students Association has also announced the initiation of a global campaign aimed at raising public awareness and attracting diplomatic and humanitarian attention to the emerging problem. However, this association has emphasized that so far, its efforts to resolve the visa crisis have yielded no results.

Border Tensions and Impact on Bilateral Relations

This crisis comes at a time when the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has strained due to recent border clashes between Pakistani military and Taliban forces. Following these tensions, Islamabad has closed all its border crossings with Afghanistan; a move that has created serious problems not only for students but also for traders and travelers between the two countries.