Pakistan has announced a significant change in its visa policy to attract tourists and investors. The federal cabinet approved an online system for issuing business and tourist visas within 24 hours, eliminating visa fees for citizens of 126 countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called this decision a “quantum jump” to boost tourism and investment. The visa processing costs will be covered by the foreign exchange earned through these visitors.
E-gates will be set up at Gwadar Port and nine airports, starting with Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. These e-gates will simplify the entry process for international travelers.
The cabinet also approved special and banking courts to handle banking cases, operating under the security exchange commission. Additionally, Pakistan signed an MoU with Denmark to promote public-private partnerships in various sectors, including logistics, transport, and alternative energy.
In a separate resolution, the cabinet urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for its actions against Palestinians and ensure a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza.