Sweden resumes visa services in Pakistan after two-year hiatus

Sweden has resumed short-stay visa services in Islamabad for Pakistani nationals, more than two years after suspending consular operations due to security concerns.

The announcement follows Bilateral Political Consultations between the foreign ministries of Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on July 2.

Effective July 7, Pakistani citizens can once again apply for Schengen visas for visits to Sweden of up to 90 days, according to a joint statement.

Pakistan welcomed the move, calling it a "positive development" that reflects improved diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The Pakistani delegation was led by the additional foreign secretary (Europe), while Sweden was represented by the director general for global affairs from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sweden had suspended visa and consular services in Islamabad on February 5, 2023, citing heightened regional threats. The move followed global outrage and security fallout from a Holy Quran desecration incident in Sweden, which triggered widespread protests in Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan.

Islamabad's visa services were officially shut down in April 2023. Operations were initially shifted to Thailand and later to Ethiopia after a diplomatic visit by then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.

Both ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) issued direct threats to Swedish and Danish embassies following the incident.

Denmark resumed visa services earlier, while Sweden reopened limited consular operations for residence and work permits on April 9.

The latest move expands services to include Schengen and visitor visa applications as well.