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Trump’s new ban may bar people from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the US based on a government review of countries’ national security. Pakistan is grappling with violent terrorist attacks.
US President Donald Trump | Reuters Image
US President Donald Trump is likely to issue a travel ban order that could deter people from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States by next week based on a government review of countries’ security and vetting risks, according to people familiar with the matter.
The move is reminiscent of Trump’s ban on travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries during his first term, a contentious policy that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 before it was overturned by Joe Biden. That ban included the countries of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
Other countries could also be on the travel ban list, three sources told Reuters, but they did not know which ones. It could affect tens and thousands of Afghans who were earlier cleared of resettlement in the US as refugees or on Special Immigrant Visas due to the risk of persecution by the Taliban for working for the US.
Trump’s Note Of Thanks Of Pakistan
Notably, this move came after the US President mentioned Pakistan in his address to the joint Congress in Capitol Hill. Trump had thanked Pakistan for aiding the extradition of Mohammad Sharifullah, who was allegedly involved in the planning of the deadly Abbey Gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021, that killed 13 troops and 170 Afghans.
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“I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice,” Trump said. “I want to thank, especially, the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster.
“This was a very momentous day for those 13 families who I actually got to know very well, most of them, whose children were murdered, and the many people that were so badly, over 42 people so badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan,” he added.
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif also extended gratitude towards the US for acknowledging Islamabad’s efforts in arresting the Afghan terrorist involved in planning the deadly 2021 suicide attack at the Kabul airport. Pakistan acted on CIA intelligence that led to the arrest of Sharifullah, as per reports.
“We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counter-terrorism efforts across the region, in the context of Pakistan Security Forces’ recent apprehension of ISKP’s top tier operational commander Shareefullah, who is an Afghanistan National,” he said on X.
Impact Of Trump’s Travel Ban
Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the US to detect national security threats. That order directed several cabinet members to submit by March 12 a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”
Afghanistan will be included in the recommended list of countries for a complete travel ban, said the three sources and one other. Pakistan would also be recommended for inclusion, said the three sources.
Pakistan is currently grappling with violent Islamist militants. Earlier this week, six security personnel were killed in twin suicide bombings at a military base in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attack was carried out inside an army cantonment in the Bannu area.
Pakistan and Afghanistan forces also regularly exchange fire, often sparked by disagreements over construction near the Durand line, a 2,400-kilometre (1,500-mile) frontier drawn by the British in 1896 and disputed by Kabul.
(with inputs from agencies)
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
