ISLAMABAD – Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary hassaid the government is introducing a new revolutionary visa policy toencourage tourism in the country.
Talking to the media persons in Islamabad on Friday, he said the policy hasbeen framed in consultations with all the departments concerned andstakeholders.
He said under this major visa initiative, one hundred and seventy fivecountries have been extended the facility of E-Visa whilst the citizens offifty countries will be given visas on arrival.
The Information Minister said IATA approved tour operators now can bringtourist groups to the country under new policy which, he said, will usherin a new era of progress and prosperity in the country.
Unveiling further main points of the policy, the Information Minister saidIndian origin American and British citizens will also be given visas onarrival. He said Business visa will now be provided to the citizens ofninety six countries from the previous practice of sixty eight countries.The Business visa will be stamped in eight to ten days.
Fawad Chaudhary said the period of diplomatic visa has been extended fromone year to three years whilst that of students’ visa to two years from oneyear.
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The Information Minister said the tourists can now visit all parts of thecountry including open cantonments, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Hesaid the tourists are no longer required to take any NOC.
Fawad Chaudhary said the journalist visas will now be processed through theMinistry of Information and Broadcasting and they will also be given longterm visas without any curbs.
The Information Minister said the government is also contemplating torevive the major festivals across the country to provide entertainment andeducational facilities to the masses and further build the soft image ofthe country.
Fawad Chaudhary said we want to make tourism the basis of development likeMalaysia and Turkey which are earning billions of dollars from this sector.He said the economic reforms package announced by the government is aimedat boosting exports, reducing imports and enhancing industrialization togenerate economic activities and jobs.
