Pakistan sets up a special team in Kabul to provide visa facilitation for Afghan journalists and their families

Islamabad: Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry announced on Sunday that Pakistan has set up a special team at the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul to facilitate visas for Afghan journalists and their families.

The minister announced on Twitter that Pakistan has received hundreds of visa applications from international media to facilitate their evacuation from Kabul.

“The Pakistani press in Kabul received hundreds of visa applications from international media to help them evacuate from Kabul,” he wrote. “A special team has been established to facilitate international media personnel… We pray for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansour Ahmed Khan, also announced on Twitter that Pakistan would provide visa facilities for Afghan journalists and their families.

With the unfolding of the domestic crisis in Afghanistan and the Taliban preparing to take over the Afghan capital, the embassies and consulates of international countries in Kabul are closing and telling their nationals to leave the country.

Mansour Ahmed Khan said that during this uncertain period, the Pakistani Embassy especially facilitated visas for Afghan journalists and their families.

He added that media professionals who need a visa can contact a news consultant and they will be facilitated.

Earlier, Khan denied the rumors about the closure of the Pakistani consulate and informed that due to the pandemic, the process of issuing visas has been moved online.

The day before, Khan announced that the Pakistani Embassy “is providing consular services to Pakistanis, Afghans and other nationals.”

He added that the embassy is still coordinating with PIA and Pakistani authorities to help those willing to fly to Pakistan.

At the same time, Pakistan also stated that it will facilitate the temporary relocation of foreign missions and international organizations to Pakistan.