KABUL, Afghanistan: The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Afghanistan has expressed its deep grief and sadness over the loss of Afghan lives and injuries to people in a stampede at a Stadium in Jalalabad, five kilometers away from the Pakistani Consulate.
Thousands of Afghans had gathered at the Stadium in Jalalabad to secure Pakistani visas from the Consulate, resulting in a stampede that left at least 15 Afghans dead and more than a dozen injured.
“We sympathize with the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been injured in this unfortunate incident,” said a statement issued by Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.
The statement said that we would like to emphasize again that in view of brotherly relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistan Embassy in Kabul and our Consulates in Jalalabad, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-e-Sharif continue to issue multiple entry visas to the Afghan applicants for their visits to Pakistan for family, business, medical treatment, education, and other purposes.
It said that Pakistan has recently announced its new visa policy for enhanced facilitation to Afghan nationals for long-term multiple entry visas which is being implemented by the Embassy and Consulates in Afghanistan.
The statement further said that the Embassy remains committed to ensure the smooth and effective management of visa applicants at our end.
“We seek the understanding and cooperation of Afghan people and authorities for better and secure management of the Afghan visa applicants,” it said.
