RASC News Agency: A growing number of Afghanistani students report that despite securing admission to Pakistani universities, Islamabad’s embassy in Kabul has refused to issue them visas. Meanwhile, Afghanistani students already studying in Pakistan have told the media that their visa renewals have also been halted. According to these students, Pakistani authorities have directed them to visit the embassy in Kabul for visa extensions, yet no action has been taken.
Students state that for the past four months, the Pakistani embassy has ceased issuing visas to both newly admitted students and those currently enrolled in Pakistani universities. Several students in Kabul, on Saturday, March 15, voiced their frustration, stating that while their academic programs have already commenced, they remain stranded, unable to attend their courses due to visa restrictions.
One student, admitted to Peshawar University, warned: “Classes have begun, and if our visas are not issued soon, we risk losing an entire academic year.” In a bid to resolve the crisis, students have appealed to the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Higher Education. However, despite reassurances from Taliban officials that they would engage with Pakistani authorities to find a solution, no tangible progress has been made. To date, neither the Taliban administration nor Pakistan’s embassy in Afghanistan has issued an official statement regarding the suspension of student visas.
Pakistan, which annually offers scholarships and admits Afghanistani students into various university programs, has now effectively blocked student travel amid escalating diplomatic tensions and the closure of the Torkham border crossing. The visa suspension underscores the broader strain in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations, leaving hundreds of students in uncertainty and jeopardizing their academic futures.
