- Pakistan’s caretaker government is simplifying its visa policy for businessmen to attract investors.
- Long-term visas will be introduced for members of the business community engaged in investments.
- The government is actively addressing investor-related challenges, with improving trade relations.
In an effort to attract investors and boost business, Pakistan’s interim government has announced plans to relax the visa policy for businessmen. During the fifth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) held in Islamabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar directed the authorities to simplify the visa application process for business purposes.
Prime Minister Kakar emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the streamlined issuance of visas for businessmen, heralding a new era for Pakistan’s business landscape. He also noted that individuals associated with investment institutions would benefit from easier access to visas.
During a joint press conference with other ministers after the SIFC meeting, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced that the government would introduce long-term visas for members of the business community engaged in investments. While the specifics of this policy are still being worked out by relevant ministries and departments, experts anticipate that businessmen will be given priority in the visa issuance process.
Aside from the visa policy changes, Minister Jilani highlighted the recent growth in Pakistan’s trade relationships with various countries. He emphasized that SIFC’s primary objective is to address the challenges faced by investors and facilitate their ventures. The government is actively taking steps to resolve issues affecting foreign investors, and Pakistan is experiencing improvements in its defense, political, and economic ties with the international community.
Minister Jilani also pointed out that, similar to China, Pakistan has established strong trade relations with the United States. Furthermore, there is growing interest from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in investing in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced that the Interior Ministry has adopted a more business-friendly approach to the visa policy, ensuring that investors will find it easier to obtain visas for their ventures.
These measures are expected to stimulate investment and enhance Pakistan’s position in the global business landscape.