The Swedish embassy in Islamabad has been closed indefinitely due to security risks, as reported by 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday. While the embassy did not specify the nature of the threats, it announced on its website on April 5 that on-site services and document delivery to and from the embassy would be suspended until further notice.
The embassy apologized for any inconvenience caused to visa applicants and stressed that the safety of its staff and visa applicants is its top priority. However, no timeline has been given for when services will resume in Islamabad.
The closure of the embassy will affect Pakistani students planning to study in Sweden, as the new academic session in Swedish universities begins in August, and the visa application process typically takes four to six months. Additionally, the Pakistani diaspora in Sweden will not be able to apply for visit visas for their families back home.
This decision adds to the tensions between Pakistan and Sweden following protests in January 2023 across the Muslim world, particularly in Pakistan, over the burning of the Holy Quran near Turkey’s embassy in Stockholm by a far-right politician and anti-Islam provocateur, Rasmus Paludan, a dual Danish-Swedish national.
Apart from Sweden, visa applicants are facing difficulties in getting their applications processed at missions in other European countries, including Germany and Italy. These countries are reportedly giving interview appointments to visa applicants after several months, further causing inconvenience to Pakistani visa applicants.
The overseas Pakistani community has appealed to the Pakistan Embassy in Sweden and the Foreign Office to address their concerns. Pakistani students have also written a letter to Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan, highlighting their difficulties.
It is hoped that authorities can find a solution to the challenges faced by visa applicants as soon as possible and that the Swedish embassy in Islamabad can resume its services in a secure environment.
