Good news for Pakistani students as Norway removes Pakistan from threat assessment list

OSLO: In a major diplomatic breakthrough for Pakistan, Norway has removed Pakistan from its National Threat Assessment 2024 list. Norwegian Police and Security Service recently released the NTA 2024.

Pakistan and some other countries had been added to the list for the past several years leading to multiple difficulties for foreigners trying to get visas. The inclusion also affected Pakistani students and researchers who faced an implicit ban for participation in academic activities.

The report is issued annually to identify and analyze the countries that pose a threat to Norway in terms of intelligence sabotage, spread of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and extremism as well as threats to government officials. A 2022 NTA report said that ‘actors affiliated with Russia, China, Iran, and Pakistan will pose special challenges to Norway’s national security.’

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Furthermore, the presence of Pakistan’s inclusion in the list prompted negative propaganda from the Indian media. Indian media projected Pakistan in a negative light as a threat-posing country. However, Pakistan has achieved a great diplomatic milestone as Norway has removed Pakistan from its list of National Threat Assessments.

However, Norway’s recent decision has expressed optimism for improved bilateral relations between Pakistan and Scandinavian country and a reduction in unwarranted obstacles faced by Pakistani nationals.