Pak embassy in Kabul issues 2,000-3,000 visas to Afghans daily

PESHAWAR: The number of applicants for Pakistani visas has increased manifold in Afghanistan over the past year when the Pakistan government implemented stricter border control and began denying entry to Afghans without passport and visa.

Syed Abrar Hussain, Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan, told The News when approached that previously the Pakistani embassy in Kabul used to issue around 700-800 visas per day, but now the figure has gone up from 2,000-3,000 per day.

Besides, visas for Pakistan are also being issued at the Pakistani consulates in Jalalabad, Herat, Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar. As in the past, Pakistani visas are given free of charge to the Afghans. The Pakistani visa is much sought after in Afghanistan. Many Afghans want to visit as they have their relations among the Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Others are studying in Pakistani educational institutions, seeking medical treatment or doing business.

Pakistan's embassy in Kabul is particular in ensuring that the patients and their attendants and the elderly Afghans are given visas on priority basis. Long queues of Afghans are seen daily waiting to apply for visas at the Pakistani embassy.