PM announces new easy visa regime for foreign businessmen

Pakistan Army to backstop government’s efforts for “economic revival, COAS

Apex Committee of SIFC focuses on efforts to improve business, investment climate,

Islamabad_ Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar here on Saturday announced a new easy visa regime for foreign businessmen desiring to visit Pakistan. In a statement after the fifth meeting of the Apex Committee of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), he said that important decisions were made in the meeting. According to one of the decisions, he said those foreign businessmen who want to visit Pakistan would get easy visas on the basis of a document from their country or from international business organizations. Pakistani missions would issue visas to foreign businessmen on the basis of that single document, he said adding that the new visa regime would make Pakistan a country open for business. The prime minister said besides, if Pakistan’s chambers of business or business organizations issue a document to a foreign businessman, easy visas would also be issued to them. People who work in mid-sized and large businesses could also avail this facility of visa, he added. He expressed the hope that under this new visa regime, Pakistan would enter a new phase of business and economy.

Addressing a joint press conference flanked by other ministers after the SIFC meeting, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced that the government would issue long-term visas to the business community on investment. Terming the European Union (EU) as Pakistan’s “important partner”, he said the country’s trade with all the countries increased during the recent months.

“Trade with the United States (US) increased by $3 billion”, the minister added. He maintained that SIFC’s key objective was addressing investors’ problems. The government is taking steps to remove the problems of foreign investors, caretaker FM Jilani said, adding that Pakistan’s ties with the regional and international community were getting stronger. “Pakistan’s defence, political and economic relations [with the world] are improving,” he added. Terming the SIFC a “revolutionary step”, the caretaker foreign minister said, “Like China, we also have close trade relations with the US.”

“Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have also shown interest in investment in Pakistan.”

He also shared that the government was taking steps to boost bilateral trade with the EU and Africa.

On his part caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said, “The Interior Ministry has made the visa policy business-friendly. Investors will be given visas on easy terms.” The government was taking special measures to curb smuggling, he added.

Responding to a question about terrorism, the interior minister said that no one would be allowed to impose their agenda at gunpoint.

Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) resumed the proceedings of the 5th Apex Committee meeting on Saturday here, focusing on efforts to improve business and investment climate in the country. The second session was arranged to seek input from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Information Technology & Telecommunications,
National Food Security & Research, and Water Resources for improving the business and investment climate in the Country. The meeting was chaired by the caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Federal Cabinet, Provincial Chief Ministers and high-level government officials. Ministries presented comprehensive plans, covering milestones, timelines and solutions to overcome major challenges.

The committee unanimously decided to take all decisions in the larger interest of the Country and deal with the menace of smuggling, hoarding and market manipulations with iron hands through an elaborate enforcement mechanism. The Prime Minister directed the ministries to optimally utilize the short interim period for a positive contribution while also initiating medium and long-term policy interventions. Chief of Army Staff pledged unwavering support of Pakistan Army to backstop the government’s efforts for economic revival of the country.