ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government announced on Thursday that it has reduced the visa fee for Saudi nationals who wish to travel to the country.
“The government of Pakistan has reduced the visit, tourist, study visa (60 US $) and business, work visa (90 US $) [fees] for Saudi nationals,” the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh said in a tweet.
The Government of Pakistan has reduced the Visit, Tourist, Study Visa (60 US $) and Business, Work Visa (90 US $) for Saudi nationals. pic.twitter.com/BxpNLs5Vx9
— PakistanInRiyadh (@PakEmbRiyadh) December 5, 2018
However, no further details were shared about the initiative.
In recent months, the two countries have agreed to enhance trade and cultural ties.
In September this year, Saudi Minister Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad visited Pakistan and discussed how the two allies could further broaden and deepen their relationship in the field of media and culture.
On December 1, Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Al-Malki also visited the headquarters of Pakistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Karachi and discussed the investment opportunities between the two countries.
محترم سفير@AmbassadorNawaf نے #کراچی میں #پاکستانی چیمبر آف کامرس اینڈ انڈسٹری کے ہیڈ کوارٹر کا دورہ کیا اور اعلی ذمہ داران سے ملاقات کی، ملاقات کے دوران دونوں ممالک کے درمیان سرمایہ کاری کے مواقع اور شعبوں پر گفتگو ہوئی . pic.twitter.com/SWSkUU0U24
— السفارة في باكستان - سعودی سفارت خانہ (@KSAembassyPK) December 1, 2018
During Prime Minister Imran Khan’s second visit to Saudi Arabia on October 22, the Kingdom had also expressed an interest in the mining and development of mineral resources in Pakistan and in the country’s largest coastal refinery.
The multi-billion dollar project is being set up at the Khalifa Point, near the hub district in Balochistan, Sher Afghan Khan, spokesman for the Ministry of Energy (petroleum division) and a board member of Pakistan-Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) confirmed to Arab News.
With an aim to attract even more tourists to the country, the Islamabad Embassy in Riyadh posted on its website: “Pakistan is a land blessed with an enormously-rich historical heritage, diverse culture, high adventure, and unmatched natural beauty.”
“We offer a unique and contrasted destination to behold the caravan of mankind across ages and precious beauties of nature, to the tourists of the world,” the embassy further added.
Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy a multifaceted and deep-rooted cooperation.
In October this year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman accepted PM Khan’s proposal to reduce the visa fee for Pakistani workers which Pakistan considers as a significant step toward enhancing its workforce in Saudi Arabia, as well as facilitating travel of people between both the countries.