In response to the increasing trend of Pakistanis applying for political asylum abroad, the Foreign Office has introduced new visa note guidelines for the Senate and National Assembly Secretariat.
These changes, which were promptly approved by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, are designed to tighten the process of visa issuance. The new guidelines took effect immediately.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs has communicated the decision to both the Senate and National Assembly. As part of the new policy, a ban has been imposed on issuing letters of introduction for the visa applications of family members of National Assembly and Senate Secretariat officers. This measure is intended to prevent the misuse of such documents in asylum claims.
Also Read: Pakistan Introduces New Visa Policy: Fee Waivers for 126 Countries
Additionally, more stringent rules have been enforced for members of parliament (MPs) and their family members who hold private passports. They will now be required to submit an affidavit in order to obtain letters of introduction, introducing an added layer of accountability to the process.
For those with diplomatic and official passports, the issuance of a note verbale—an official diplomatic request for visa facilitation—will now require a formal application and accompanying letter. The Foreign Office has stressed that the policy guidelines for issuing note verbales, introductory notes, and related documents will be strictly adhered to in order to prevent any potential misuse.
These measures are viewed as a proactive approach to addressing the growing trend of political asylum applications, which has become a concern for the government.
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