US President Donald Trump is expected to issue a new travel ban order that could prevent people from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States as early as next week.
The decision follows a government review of security and vetting risks associated with various countries, as reported by Reuters.
According to the report, the move is similar to Trump’s previous ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations during his first term.
That ban, which affected Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 before being overturned by Joe Biden.
As per Reuters, other countries could also be included in the ban, but no specific names have been confirmed.
The order could significantly impact thousands of Afghans who had previously been approved for resettlement in the US as refugees or through Special Immigrant Visas due to their work with American forces in Afghanistan.
The announcement comes shortly after Trump acknowledged Pakistan’s assistance in extraditing Mohammad Sharifullah, an Afghan terrorist allegedly involved in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The attack killed 13 US troops and 170 Afghans.
In a speech to Congress, Trump confirmed Sharifullah’s capture, thanking Pakistan for its role in the arrest.
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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 stated.
He expressed gratitude to Pakistan, calling it a “momentous day” for the families of the victims.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also responded, thanking the US for recognizing Islamabad’s counterterrorism efforts. Pakistan’s security forces, acting on CIA intelligence, apprehended Sharifullah, an operational commander of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
“We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counterterrorism efforts across the region,” Sharif said in a statement on X.
Trump’s executive order on January 20 mandated stricter security screening for foreigners seeking admission to the US.
The order required officials to recommend countries for partial or full travel bans by March 12 due to ‘deficient’ vetting and screening procedures. Sources say Afghanistan will be included on the recommended list, and Pakistan is also likely to be added.
Pakistan is currently facing a surge in terrorist attacks, including a twin suicide bombing earlier this week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which killed six security personnel.
Additionally, border tensions with Afghanistan remain high, with frequent clashes over the disputed Durand Line. The travel ban, if implemented, could add to the ongoing strain in US-Pakistan and US-Afghanistan relations.
