Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar has raised concerns over visa delays affecting Pakistani students.
He warned that hundreds of students could lose an academic year if their visas are not issued on time.
The matter was discussed during a meeting with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. Both sides also reviewed Pakistan-UK relations and areas of mutual cooperation.
Pakistani Students Face UK Visa Delays
Tarar highlighted the difficulties faced by students planning to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.
He said delays in the UK Visa process could affect students waiting to begin their academic programmes.
Many students have admission schedules and academic deadlines to meet. Delayed visa decisions could prevent them from joining their institutions on time.
Tarar urged relevant authorities to remove hurdles facing Pakistani students. He also stressed the need for timely action to protect their academic plans.
In response, Marriott assured the minister that concerns regarding visa delays would be addressed.
The assurance could provide relief to Pakistani students currently waiting for their visa applications to be processed.
Pakistan Working to Support Overseas Students
Tarar also briefed the British High Commissioner about government measures for Pakistani students studying abroad.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered the formation of a special committee.
The committee was established under Tarar’s chairmanship. Its purpose is to improve legal and institutional support for Pakistani students pursuing education overseas.
According to the minister, the committee has already finalised its recommendations.
The government is now working to further strengthen the existing framework. It also plans to develop an effective mechanism for addressing students’ concerns.
Such measures could help students facing administrative or institutional problems while pursuing education abroad.
Pakistan and UK Discuss Educational Cooperation
The meeting also focused on strengthening educational links between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Both sides discussed institutional cooperation and greater engagement between the two countries.
The UK Visa issue remains particularly important for students whose academic programmes are approaching.
Timely processing can help students travel according to their university schedules and avoid disruptions to their studies.
The British High Commissioner’s assurance signals that concerns raised by Pakistan have been acknowledged.
However, students awaiting decisions will depend on progress in the processing of their individual applications.
Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik also attended the meeting.
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The discussions reflected broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan-UK cooperation while addressing challenges faced by Pakistani students seeking education in Britain.
