A new travel ban by former US President Donald Trump could start as early as next week, possibly stopping people from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States, according to sources quoted by Reuters.The policy is similar to Trump’s earlier “Muslim ban” and could prevent thousands of Afghans who helped US forces from finding safety, leaving their future uncertain.

According to a report by Reuters, theUS government has decided to add Pakistan and Afghanistan to the travel ban list after reviewing security and vetting risks. The new restrictions are expected to take effect as soon as next week.

On his first day in office on January 20, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to strengthen security checks for foreigners entering the United States. The goal was to identify any potential national security threats.

As part of this order, his cabinet was instructed to prepare a list of countries by March 12, recommending which nations should face partial or full travel restrictions due to weak screening and vetting procedures.
According to a Reuters report, other countries could also be included in the travel ban list, in addition to Pakistan and Afghanistan.

In his first address to Congress on Tuesday, former US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan for its cooperation in the arrest of Taliban terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah. The US holds Sharifullah responsible for a 2021 attack on American troops at Kabul airport.

"I want to especially thank the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster. This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, most of whom I got to know very well, whose children were murdered, and for the many people who were badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan," Trump said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responded to Trump’s remarks by expressing gratitude and calling it a sign of renewed ties between Islamabad and Washington.

"We will continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and stability," Sharif said on Wednesday, just hours after Trump thanked Pakistan for the arrest. He also confirmed that Sharifullah was being sent to the United States.

Relations between the US and Pakistan had been strained due to concerns about Islamabad’s alleged support for Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers, though Pakistan has denied these claims. During his first term as US President, Trump introduced a travel ban in 2017 on seven Muslim-majority countries Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. However, this ban was later revoked by Joe Biden.

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