Pakistan Halts Afghan Student Visa Renewals

DID Press: The acting Taliban consul general in Karachi says Pakistan has suspended the issuance and renewal of visas for Afghan students whose visas have expired, raising concerns over the academic future and legal status of hundreds of students.

Abdul Jabbar Takhari, the Taliban-appointed acting consul general in Karachi, said Afghan students enrolled at universities in Pakistan’s Sindh province have not faced major disruptions to their studies so far. However, he noted that the suspension of visa issuance and renewals after existing visas expire has become their primary challenge.

Takhari said the situation has caused widespread concern among Afghan students, who are awaiting the resumption of visa services by Pakistani authorities.

He also stated that some Afghan students in other Pakistani provinces have faced additional difficulties, including deportation.

In recent months, Pakistan’s tougher policies toward Afghan nationals—including its campaign to deport undocumented migrants—have affected the residency status and educational activities of some Afghan citizens, fueling concerns over the future of Afghan students studying in the country.