ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated Saudi Arabia on Friday for holding a successful G20 summit earlier this month while interacting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the sidelines of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Niger.
They discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Qureshi said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed historic and brotherly relations. He also praised the kingdom’s principled stance on Kashmir and expressed his gratitude for its unstinting support to Pakistan over the issue.
The Pakistani foreign minister also discussed the current situation in Indian-administered Kashmir and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s role in the Muslim world.
According to an official statement released by Pakistan’s foreign office, Prince Faisal bin Farhan praised Pakistan’s role in regional security.
The two officials also agreed to increase bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, economy and commerce.
It was decided that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would exchange official delegations for greater collaboration in the coming days.
Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia for holding successful G20 summit
https://arab.news/5bhp7
Pakistan praises Saudi Arabia for holding successful G20 summit
- Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi meets his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of the OIC foreign ministers’ conference
- The two officials agree to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, economy and commerce
Islamabad, UAE to sign ‘Pre-Immigration Clearance’ pact easing travel for Pakistani passengers
- UAE DG Customs Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi meets Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss simplifying immigration procedures
- Under the new system, immigration and relevant clearance of passengers will take place within Pakistan itself, says Pakistani interior ministry
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and the UAE will sign a formal “Pre-Immigration Clearance” pact allowing Pakistani passengers traveling to the Gulf country to avoid lengthy procedures at airports, the Pakistani interior ministry said on Monday.
The ministry’s statement followed a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and a UAE delegation led by its Director General Customs Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej Al Falasi. The two sides held detailed discussions on Pakistan-UAE ties, mutual cooperation and simplifying immigration processes for travelers, the interior ministry said.
“During the meeting, both sides agreed that a formal pact on ‘Pre-Immigration Clearance’ between Pakistan and the UAE would be signed,” the statement said. “The system will initially be launched on a pilot basis, with Karachi selected as the first location.”
Naqvi said that as per the under the new system, immigration and relevant clearance of passengers traveling to the UAE will take place in Pakistan. After its implementation, passengers arriving in the UAE will not be required to undergo lengthy immigration procedures and will be able to exit the airport directly as “domestic passengers,” the ministry said.
The minister said this initiative will make travel easier, save time and enhance the overall experience of passengers.
“The UAE delegation termed the move beneficial for the people of both countries and expressed readiness for cooperation,” the statement said.
The Pakistani interior ministry did not say when the pact would be signed. However, it said both sides decided that relevant authorities would continue coordination to finalize the administrative and technical framework of the pilot project.
Upon successful implementation, the system would be gradually expanded to more destinations, it said.
Pakistan has a similar arrangement with Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom’s Makkah Route Initiative. The scheme streamlines immigration processes by enabling Hajj pilgrims to complete official travel formalities at their departure airports.
This saves pilgrims several hours upon arrival in the Kingdom, as they can simply enter the country without having to go through immigration again.
