Fact check: Has Turkey tightened visa policy for Pakistanis?
Claim: Turkish government has tightened the visa policy for Pakistanis after viral social media posts claiming Pakistanis’ involvement in a kidnapping
Fact: Pakistani embassy in Turkey has refused any changes in Turkey’s visa policy for Pakistanis
On 29 April 2022, Arab News reported that Turkey had tightened its visa policies for Pakistanis after a Pakistani group allegedly abducted Nepalis at gunpoint while they were wandering in Taksim Square, one of the significant landmarks of the city.
The abducted people were tortured and their videos were made, with a kidnapping demanding a ransom of 10,000 euros for their release.
“The Turkish government has tightened the visa policy for Pakistanis after crimes reportedly involving Pakistanis,” a local media news report read. However, the Pakistani Embassy has denied the news reports of changing Turkish visa polices for Pakistanis.
“In response to various media reports, it is clarified that Turkey has not made any changes in its policy of issuing visas and residence permits specific to Pakistan nationals. The Embassy remains in close contact with the Turkish authorities on all consular related matters,” the Pakistan Embassy in Turkey wrote in a tweet.
VERDICT: FALSE