ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan today launched the online visa regimeat a ceremony in Islamabad today to promote tourism and investments intothe country.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister said issuing of online visa isa major step towards bringing real change as it will open the country tothe outside world. Imran Khan it also shows that Pakistan is a peaceful andstable country and open to the world for business and tourism.
He said the mindset regarding the allowing of foreigners into the countryneeds to be changed in order to portray a positive image of Pakistan to theworld.
The Prime Minister said the beautiful region of Gilgit Baltistan ofPakistan is twice the size of Switzerland and there are still manyunexplored areas in the area. The Prime Minister said a task force ontourism will make sure that proper facilities are provided to the tourists.He said the skiing resorts of Pakistan are unique in the world due to theirtopography.
The Prime Minister said religious tourism is another major area that needsto be explored. He said religious sites of Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism andSufism in the country can attract a large number of visitors from acrossthe world. Imran Khan said ancient civilizations of the country will beintroduced to the world. Imran Khan said Peshawar is the oldest living cityin human history and a historical part in the city developed with Germancooperation will be opened for tourists soon. He said all the touristsights and attractions will be properly advertised on a dedicated website.
The Prime Minister also said that work is also in the offing to promotebeach tourism in the country by taking advantage of unexplored long coastalbelt of Pakistan.
Imran Khan lauded the role of security agencies for their sacrifices tomake Pakistan a secure and peaceful country. He expressed optimism thatnext PSL tournament will be held in Pakistan.
Imran Khan said the foreign missions in Pakistan will be activated to playa vibrant role in promoting tourism of the country in the world. Regardingties with neighboring countries, he said Pakistan wants good relations willall the regional countries, including India.
Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi said thelaunching of online visa facility is a major step towards Naya Pakistan. Hesaid the decision made under the chairmanship of Prime Minister is areflection that Pakistan is opening its doors to the world. The frustrationfaced by the nation in the past is now coming to an end. He said thegovernment of PTI is fulfilling the wishes of people of Pakistan ateconomic, defense, foreign and other fronts. He said today’s step is amajor initiative towards Naya Pakistan.
He said Pakistan is more peaceful and stable country thanks to sacrificesrendered by armed forces and people of Pakistan.
Earlier, highlighting major features of the new visa policy, Minister ofState for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said multiple visas to nationals of96 countries will be granted within 24 hours of applying. He said citizensof 175 countries can apply for online visa while people from fiftycountries will be granted visa on arrival.
Shehryar Khan Afridi said initially citizens of five countries includingUK, Turkey, Malaysia, UAE and China will be granted online visas in thepilot project.
He said foreign nationals of Indian origin will also be allowed to availthe facility of visa on arrival for religious tourism.
The Minister of State said average visa fee has been reduced from 22 to 65percent. He said nationals of UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain amongothers will be given multiple visas.
He said the mindset regarding the allowing of foreigners into the countryneeds to be changed in order to portray a positive image of Pakistan to theworld.
The Prime Minister said the beautiful region of Gilgit Baltistan ofPakistan is twice the size of Switzerland and there are still manyunexplored areas in the area.
The Prime Minister said a task force on tourism will make sure that properfacilities are provided to the tourists.
He said the skiing resorts of Pakistan are unique in the world due to theirtopography.