A travel ban on Pakistanis has not been imposed by the United States, but certain restrictions may be introduced, according to Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik. His statement comes amid growing security concerns and reports suggesting that the US administration is reviewing travel policies.
US Reviewing Security Risks
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump’s administration is assessing security and vetting risks, potentially leading to new travel restrictions affecting Pakistan and Afghanistan. These measures might resemble the travel limitations imposed during Trump’s first term, which targeted multiple majority-Muslim countries.
US Issues Level 3 Travel Advisory
On Saturday, the US State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory, warning American citizens to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to security risks. The advisory cited concerns over potential terrorist attacks on civilian and government targets, including transport hubs, markets, and public spaces.
The warning follows the release of the Global Terrorism Index 2025, which ranked Pakistan as the world’s second-most terrorism-affected country in 2024. The report revealed a 45% rise in terrorism-related deaths, with fatalities increasing from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024. The number of attacks exceeded 1,000 for the first time since the index’s inception.
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Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Efforts Recognized
Malik highlighted that Pakistan has intensified counterterrorism operations and is working closely with international partners.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s efforts have been acknowledged by US military leadership, including CENTCOM. Malik emphasized that the detention of Daesh commander Mohammad Sharifullah alias Jaffar, accused of the 2021 attack on US troops in Kabul, demonstrates the efficiency of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies. He claimed their rapid response capabilities have outperformed multiple global intelligence agencies.
Regional Stability at Risk
The minister warned that the rising wave of militancy threatens not just Pakistan but the entire region. He stressed that US interests could also be affected if terrorism continues to spread.
Malik also rejected allegations from neighboring countries that Pakistan supports terrorism, stating that Pakistan itself is a victim of extremist violence. He reminded that the country has suffered from terrorism for years and continues to face extremist attacks.
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