Daily Times

In a bid to create a business-friendly environment to boost investment, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Saturday directed to ease visa policy for businessmen. The caretaker premier issued the directives while chairing the fifth apex committee meeting of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in Islamabad on Saturday. The government will ensure easy provision of visas to the businessmen, he said, adding, “Pakistan is entering a new era by these measures. Addressing a joint press conference flanked by other ministers after the SIFC meeting, Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani announced that the government would issue long-term visas to the business community on investment.

Terming the European Union (EU) as Pakistan’s “important partner”, he said the country’s trade with all the countries increased during the recent months.

“Trade with the United States (US) increased by $3 billion,” the minister added. He maintained that SIFC’s key objective was addressing investors’ problems. The government is taking steps to remove the problems of foreign investors, caretaker FM Jilani said, adding that Pakistan’s ties with the regional and the international community were getting stronger. “Pakistan’s defence, political and economic relations [with the world] are improving,” he added.

Terming the SIFC a “revolutionary step”, the caretaker foreign minister said, “Like China, we also have close trade relations with the US.” “Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have also shown interest in investment in Pakistan.” He also shared that the government was taking steps to boost bilateral trade with the EU and Africa. On his part caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said, “The Interior Ministry has made the visa policy business-friendly. Investors will be given visas on easy terms.” The government was taking special measures to curb smuggling, he added. Responding to a question about terrorism, the interior minister said that no one would be allowed to impose their agenda at gunpoint.

Caretaker Minister for IT and Telecommunication Dr Umar Saif said that the government was digitising the tax system, adding that it will help document the economy.

“IT sector can play a vital role in boosting the country’s exports,” he said, adding that his ministry may auction 5G in the next 10 months. “Freelancing facility will be created for 0.5 million people.” Foreign reserves worth $1.5 would be brought into the country by creating a digital platform, he claimed. The minister was of the view that they would shift the economy to a “cashless” system. He announced that Pakistan has started production of smartphones, adding, “50 million sets have already been made.”