ISLAMABAD: In a significant diplomatic development, the Swedish government has announced the resumption of its visa services in Islamabad, marking the end of a two-year suspension that had hindered travel and people-to-people contact between the two countries.

The decision comes on the heels of the latest round of Bilateral Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on July 2, 2025.

The talks, aimed at deepening cooperation across a range of sectors, appear to have yielded tangible results in the form of restored consular services.

From Monday, Pakistani nationals have been able to apply for a Schengen visa in Islamabad for short-term visits of up to 90 days.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesman Ambassador Shafaqat Ali Khan welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a positive development that reflects the strengthening of bilateral relations.”

The Pakistani delegation to the Bilateral Consultations in Stockholm was led by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), while the Swedish side was headed by the Director General for Global Affairs from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Sweden to Reopen Visa Services in Islamabad

Following the Bilateral Political Consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Sweden, held in Stockholm on 2 July 2025, the Government of Sweden has announced the resumption of visa… pic.twitter.com/01y4A7Fhx8

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 7, 2025

Why was the visa service halted?

Sweden had suspended visa operations in Pakistan in 2023, citing security concerns in the wake of public backlash over blasphemy incidents in Sweden, including the public burning of a copy of the Holy Quran by far-right extremists. These incidents triggered widespread protests in several Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan.

At the time, the Swedish embassy in Islamabad curtailed its operations and halted visa processing. The closure had caused significant inconvenience to Pakistani applicants, particularly students and professionals seeking to travel to Sweden.

While the Swedish Embassy continued to operate in a limited capacity for diplomatic affairs, all visa-related matters had been referred to other regional missions in countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India, creating a major bottleneck for applicants.