Pakistan has announced the complete waiver of visa fees for citizens of 126 countries, aiming to attract tourists, investors, and business professionals. This decision, described by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “quantum jump” for the country, was made during a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
New Era for Tourism and Investment
The revised visa policy is expected to enhance the ease of doing business in Pakistan. The federal cabinet has also approved the implementation of an online visa application system. Under this new system, citizens of the 126 countries will receive business and tourist visas within 24 hours without paying any visa processing fees. The government believes that the economic benefits from increased foreign investment and tourism will offset the loss of visa fee revenue.
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A statement from PM House quoted Prime Minister Sharif saying that the cost of processing visas will be covered by foreign exchange earned through tourism and investment, including the potential for significant religious tourism.
Modernizing Travel with E-Gates
To further facilitate travel, Pakistan plans to establish electronic gates (e-gates) at Gwadar Port and nine airports across the country. Initially, these e-gates will be installed at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports, streamlining the entry process for visitors.
Facilitating Sikh Pilgrims
In addition to the general visa policy changes, the cabinet approved a separate sub-category for visa-on-arrival to assist 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
The relaxed visa policy is part of a broader strategy to bolster Pakistan’s economy by fostering an inviting environment for foreign investment and enhancing trade opportunities. The decision, which will be implemented by the interior ministry and the Foreign Office, highlights Pakistan’s commitment to economic reform.
Prime Minister Sharif noted that while Pakistan would forego millions of dollars in visa fee revenue, the move is expected to significantly boost large-scale economic activities and increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves. This policy change aligns with Pakistan’s efforts to address its prolonged economic crisis and secure financial stability, including a recent $7 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Special Courts and International Agreements
In the same cabinet meeting, the federal cabinet approved the establishment of special courts and banking courts to handle banking cases, as recommended by the high courts of Islamabad, Balochistan, Sindh, Lahore, and Peshawar. These courts will function under the security exchange commission.
The cabinet also endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Denmark to promote public-private partnerships in various sectors, including logistics, transport, sustainable growth, water waste management, urban green development, alternative energy, and basic infrastructure construction.
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The cabinet meeting concluded with a resolution demanding accountability from Israel for its actions against Palestinians, urging the international community to accelerate efforts to ensure a ceasefire and provide humanitarian assistance in Gaza. The resolution highlighted the severe toll on Palestinian lives and called for global justice.