US travel ban: Pakistan to get 60 days window to address security concerns to avoid potential travel restrictions

Dubai: The United States may grant Pakistan a 60-day window to address security concerns and prevent potential travel restrictions, according to reports from American media outlets.

Contrary to previous speculation, a leaked draft of the proposal suggests that Pakistan will not be placed on the US “red list,” which is reserved for countries facing a full travel ban. Diplomatic sources in Washington attribute this to Pakistan’s renewed counterterrorism cooperation with the US, which has helped the country avoid the most severe sanctions.

In a recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump acknowledged Pakistan’s role in assisting the US with the apprehension of Mohammad Sharifullah, a key figure linked to the 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians.

However, US officials remain concerned about the rising levels of terrorism in Afghanistan. While some still see Pakistan as a valuable counterterrorism ally, they expect Islamabad to take further steps to address ongoing security concerns.

Possible travel restrictions

Rather than an outright ban, media reports suggest Pakistan may be placed on an intermediate list, with some discrepancies in its classification.

Yello list

According to Reuters, Pakistan could land on a “yellow list” alongside 25 other countries, facing a potential partial suspension of US visa issuance unless it takes steps to enhance security cooperation within two months. Nations such as Belarus and Turkmenistan are also reportedly included in this category.

Orange list

On the other hand, The New York Times references a draft proposal that places Pakistan on an “orange list” of 10 countries, where certain travel restrictions would apply, though not a total ban. Under this classification, business travellers could still obtain visas, but immigrant and tourist visas may face limitations. Citizens of these countries would also be required to undergo mandatory in-person interviews before being granted a US visa.

The proposed list includes Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.

Red list

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Trump administration is also finalising a “red list” of 11 countries whose citizens would be completely banned from entering the U.S. These countries include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

Concerns among American Muslims

The proposed travel restrictions have sparked concern among American Muslim communities, especially as these reports coincided with the United Nations-mandated International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Many fear that the expanded travel bans will disproportionately target Muslim-majority countries, reinforcing existing patterns of discrimination under the guise of security measures, according to report in a leading Pakistani newspaper Dawn.

The policy shift has already caused uncertainty among students and professionals. Columbia University’s International Students and Scholars Office issued a travel advisory urging students from affected countries, particularly Pakistan, to reconsider non-essential travel due to the potential for re-entry difficulties. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also advised Pakistani nationals and others to avoid travel until the administration finalises its decision.

Social media discussions reflect growing anxiety, with many Muslim professionals, including physicians and IT specialists, advising each other to carry all necessary documentation when travelling. The fear of increased scrutiny at US airports and embassies has added to concerns over the broader impact of the policy.

Pakistan’s Response

A spokesperson at the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said during a media brifing last week: “We have taken note of recent media reports claiming a possible entry ban on Pakistani nationals from entering the US. As of now, this is speculative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Mission in Washington are in close contact with the relevant US authorities to get any details in this regard. So far, we have not been given any indication of such a ban on Pakistani nationals.”

Despite these concerns, Pakistan has a two-month window to address the US security concerns and potentially avoid harsher restrictions. Diplomatic sources said that Pakistan’s counterterrorism cooperation with the US — particularly regarding the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah — has helped avert the most severe measures.

While Pakistan has managed to avoid the strictest sanctions for now, the next two months will be crucial in determining whether it can completely avoid travel restrictions.