Pakistan approves visa-free entry for GCC businessmen

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that the government has implemented sweeping visa reforms to accommodate foreign investors, businesses and tourists.

According to him, this move would promote tourism, encourage foreign investment and increase trade activities in the country.

In a statement, the prime minister called the initiative a very positive development. He said the government had approved visa-free access for businessmen from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which would increase investment and business opportunities from these countries.

He said that businessmen, investors and tourists from 126 countries would be issued visas within 24 hours through an online system, adding that traders and tourists from these countries would be exempted from visa fees.

The visa policy reforms are expected to make Pakistan more attractive to foreigners for both business and tourism.

The Prime Minister stressed that special arrangements have also been made for Sikh pilgrims holding third country passports to obtain visa on arrival.

He said that electronic gates would be installed at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports to facilitate travellers. He also added that a dashboard would be set up at the Ministry of Interior to monitor the implementation of the new visa regime, including visa-free entry, business visa list and tourist visa on arrival.