FO denies US travel ban reports, calls them speculation

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan has reacted to reports of possible US travel restrictions on Pakistan.

Addressing the weekly briefing, Khan said that the government had not yet been officially informed about the travel restrictions and that these reports were mere media speculation.

The spokesperson stressed that there was no truth in the reports of US sanctions, with the State Department denying the allegations of entry bans.

He said that Pakistan and the US enjoy strong ties in various fields. He added that the meeting with the US Chargé d’Affaires at the Foreign Office was a routine diplomatic meeting.

He said that the meeting held a day earlier on visa matters was part of regular discussions and summoning any diplomat is a standard procedure. He said there was nothing unusual in it.

Speaking about Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia, he said that the prime minister had met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Prime Minister thanked Saudi Arabia for its continued support for Pakistan.

The Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza and termed it a violation of the ceasefire. He said that Pakistan will continue to support the two-state solution.

Shafqat Ali Khan further said that Pakistan’s missile and defense capabilities are for its defense, the country’s defense system is in strong and safe hands.