Pakistan abolishes visa fees for 126 countries to promote tourism and investment
Pakistan
has announced a complete waiver of visa fees for citizens of 126 countries
as part of a strategic move to boost tourism, attract investors, and facilitate
business professionals. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed this policy shift
as a “quantum leap” for the nation during a federal cabinet meeting on
Wednesday.
A New Era for Tourism and Investment
The new visa policy is set to simplify business operations in Pakistan. The federal cabinet has also approved the introduction of an online visa application system. Under this updated system, nationals from the 126 eligible countries will be granted business and tourist visas within 24 hours, free of charge. The government anticipates that the economic benefits from heightened foreign investment and tourism will compensate for the revenue loss from waived visa fees.
According to a statement from PM House, Prime Minister Sharif indicated that the costs of processing these visas would be offset by the foreign exchange earnings from tourism and investment, including anticipated growth in religious tourism.
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Modernizing Travel with E-Gates
To further ease travel, Pakistan plans to install electronic gates (e-gates) at Gwadar Port and nine major airports. The initial installations will be at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports, designed to streamline the entry process for visitors.
Supporting Sikh Pilgrims
Alongside the general visa policy changes, the cabinet has approved a special visa-on-arrival category for Sikh pilgrims holding passports from third countries. This initiative includes a dashboard at the Interior Ministry to monitor the online visa system and ensure efficient processing for these visitors.
Implementation and Expectations
This revised visa policy is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate Pakistan’s economy by creating a welcoming environment for foreign investment and expanding trade opportunities. The policy will be enacted by the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Office, demonstrating Pakistan’s commitment to economic reform.
Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged that while Pakistan will forgo significant visa fee revenue, the policy is expected to stimulate substantial economic activity and bolster foreign exchange reserves. This initiative aligns with Pakistan’s efforts to address its prolonged economic challenges, including a recent $7 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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Special Courts and International Agreements
In the same meeting, the federal cabinet approved the creation of special and banking courts to handle financial cases, as recommended by the high courts of Islamabad, Balochistan, Sindh, Lahore, and Peshawar. These courts will operate under the Securities Exchange Commission.
The cabinet also endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Denmark to foster public-private partnerships across various sectors such as logistics, transport, sustainable growth, water waste management, urban green development, alternative energy, and infrastructure construction.
The meeting concluded with a resolution calling for accountability from Israel regarding its actions against Palestinians. The resolution urged the international community to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, highlighting the severe impact on Palestinian lives and advocating for global justice.
Source: https://www.globalvillagespace.com/