ISLAMABAD: Islamabad is going to ease visa restrictions for Afghan nationals, especially students, businessmen and persons seeking treatment in Pakistan, Mansoor Ahmad Khan, ambassador-designate to Afghanistan said, as quoted by local media on Sunday.
Before his departure for Kabul, the ambassador vowed to prioritize cooperation in education, science and technology and youth affairs. On Saturday, he presented his credentials to the Afghan chief of protocol, Khalid Ghaffari.
“The government of Pakistan is committed to ensure more facilities to Afghan nationals. The main focus is on easing the visa system and facilitating businessmen,” Khan said, as quoted by the Pakistani media.
Islamabad’s plans to ease its visa policy for Afghan nationals were announced in late July by the prime minister’s special representative for Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq.
According to media reports, under the proposed policy long-term multiple visas will be issued to students and businessmen, while medical visas to patients seeking treatment in Pakistan will be issued on arrival at Torkham, the main border crossing between the two countries.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have both named new ambassadors days before intra-Afghan talks between the Kabul government and the Afghan Taliban, which are underway in Doha, Qatar.
Islamabad’s role is considered vital for arranging these talks and acting Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammed Haneef Atmar said on Sunday that Kabul appreciates Pakistan’s “support for a lasting peace” in the country.