Pakistan on Thursday launched a revolutionary online visa system, making it easy for citizens of 175 countries to get visa from ease of their homes, in a bid to boost tourism and business. Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi said the new visa regime will pave the way for opening up of Pakistan for foreign investment and tourism. “Under the new visa regime, Pakistani missions abroad will grant three-month e-visas to foreigners in 175 countries within a processing time of seven to 10 working days. In the initial phase, we are starting a pilot project for one month for citizens of UK, UAE, Malaysia, China, and Turkey,” he said. The minister said the number of countries for visa-on-arrival for individual tourists and tourist groups has been revised from 24 to 50 days. “Foreign nationals of Indian origin will also be allowed to avail the facility of visa-on-arrival for religious tourism. Multiple business visas for five years will be granted within 24 hours subject to provision of required documents,” he said. “For nationals of Bahrain, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and UAE, Pakistani missions will grant 30-day multiple-entry visas,” the minister said, adding that average visa fee has been reduced by 22 to 65 percent. The new visa system has simplified processing of visa to promote tourism and generate economic activity and will also make it easy for citizens of 96 countries to get a work visa for business purposes. The duration of diplomatic and student visa has been extended, however the visa for religious purpose will remain valid for 45 days. Online visa system initially launched for China, Turkey, UAE, UK and Malaysia A visa-on-arrival facility has been introduced for tourists of 50 countries, besides a business visa-on-arrival for citizens of 96 countries. The travelers for on-arrival visas will be able to apply for electronic travel authorisation at least 48 hours prior to travel and will be issued visa at the port of entry. Under the online visa system, visas for journalists will be vetted by the Ministry of Information and restrictions on their travel to only three cities has also been lifted. The foreign tourists will no longer require a no-objection certificate to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The visa categories include: tourist, family, business, student, official, work, diplomatic, journalist, non-governmental organizations/international non-governmental organizations, others, missionary, tableegh and domestic aide. The fee structure varies according to visa category, entry and application types and the applicant country. The secure online system has also been integrated with the existing border management system to monitor entry and exit of persons to and from Pakistan. Visa-on-arrival facility introduced for tourists of 50 countries “This is a first step and reflective of the confidence of the country as we open our doors for investors, entrepreneurs, tourists and students; inviting them to come to visit Pakistan,” the prime minister earlier told a huge gathering at the auditorium of the Prime Minister Office, as he launched the online portal with the press of a button that would allow travelers to submit their details, documents and online payments to get visa in seven to 10 days. The prime minister said the new system has done away with the earlier mindset which discouraged the foreigners to visit Pakistan. Quoting a famous Chinese saying that ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, he said Pakistan has rich cultural heritage, scenic sights, world’s highest peaks, diversity of landscape, four seasons, desert and beaches. “We have double the size of land in Northern Areas than Switzerland with bewitching beauty,” he said, and recalled how his teacher Major (r) Geoffrey Douglas Langlands instilled in him the love of trekking and appreciation of natural beauty of the country. He said Pakistan still has large areas of undiscovered beauty and pointed that a tourism task force has been constituted that will also focus on eco and religious tourism. Mentioning the importance of religious tourism, the prime minister said Pakistan has the world’s most sacred Buddhist sites, besides those for Sikhs and Hindus. He called for urgent measures to boost beach tourism and preservation and protection of the old cities like the 2,500 year oldest living city of Peshawar, Lahore, Multan and others. Prime Minister Imran Khan said his government inherited a US$19 billion current account deficit and asked the gathering to compare it with US$ 22 billion revenue generated by Malaysia and US$ 40 billion by Turkey through tourism alone. He said Pakistan needs to properly market its one of the steepest skiing resorts in the world and other areas of natural beauty. He directed the country’s missions abroad to be more proactive and invite investment in the tourism sector. The prime minister mentioned the challenges the country had to face and how it countered terrorism with the help of its armed forces and the resolute people. “Pakistan today is a secure country and has embarked on a journey of peace,” he said. Imran Khan also announced holding of the next Pakistan Super League cricket matches in Pakistan, amidst a big applause. “I know how boring it is to play a match in a stadium with hundreds of vacant seats,” he said. He said Pakistan may continue to face a difficult time till the general election in India is over. He said incidents like the ones in Kashmir happen when an election campaign is run by fanning hatred. Published in Daily Times, March 15th 2019.