ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson said on Monday Islamabad “greatly” appreciated Kuwait resuming family and business visas for Pakistanis, calling it a manifestation of growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
After meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Sunday, Pakistani interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced that Kuwait would “immediately” resume granting of business and family visas to Pakistani nationals.
Kuwait suspended visas for nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2011 over what it said were difficult security conditions in the five countries.
“Pakistan and Kuwait have fraternal ties, which are firmly rooted in shared faith and values. The bilateral relationship is marked by growing cooperation in diverse fields,” foreign office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement, saying it was in this spirit that Kuwait had restored visas for family reunions and businesses. “We greatly appreciate Kuwaiti cooperation in this regard”.
The spokesperson said Pakistani businesspersons residing in other Gulf countries could now avail online visa facilitation for entry into Kuwait.
At present, owing to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, only Kuwaitis are allowed to enter Kuwait, Chaudhri said, with an exception made only for medical professionals.
“Relevant Pakistani and Kuwaiti authorities are also working together to chalk out a mechanism for the export of manpower in various fields from Pakistan,” Chaudhari added.
President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, welcomed the lifting of the visa ban and termed it a “great opportunity” for Pakistani businesses to expand their product market in the Gulf region.
“We were unable to compete in the Kuwait market directly due to visa restriction during the last one decade,” he said. “Travel is fundamental for business growth and due to restrictions in Kuwait, our competitors from the neighboring South Asian countries were taking advantage of that.”
“Our major products, which we can now directly send to Kuwait, are rice, meat and services especially in the information technology (IT) sector which are much cheaper in Pakistan,” Khan said.
Visa resumption by Kuwait marks growing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan — foreign office
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Visa resumption by Kuwait marks growing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan — foreign office
- Kuwait suspended visas for Pakistan and four other countries in 2011 over what it said were difficult security conditions there
- Islamabad Chamber of Commerce welcomes lifting of ban, terms it “great opportunity” for Pakistani businesses to expand in Gulf
Pakistan to unveil austerity plan on Monday as Middle East conflict drives oil price surge
- The development follows an increase of Rs55 ($0.20) per liter in prices of petrol and diesel in Pakistan this week
- PM Shehbaz Sharif promises ‘maximum relief’ to people as soon as ‘this difficult phase passes’ and economy stabilizes
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to unveil an austerity plan tomorrow, Monday, as surging global oil prices, driven by United States and Israeli strikes on Iran, mount pressure on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to curb spending and stabilize the economy, the PM’s office said on Sunday.
The development follows an increase of Rs55 ($0.20) per liter in the prices of petrol and diesel in Pakistan this week as the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies a fifth of the global oil consumption, faces disruptions due to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s counter attacks on US interests in the Gulf region.
Pakistan’s Petroleum Division was directed to submit daily stock reports, while the country’s Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) was tasked with maintaining strict market oversight, officials said this week, as oil rose above $90 a barrel globally, the highest in years.
Sharif on Sunday presided over a meeting to review measures to stabilize the economy amid the Middle East conflict, with officials saying global supply disruptions and price fluctuations may have an impact on Pakistan, according to the prime minister’s office.
“In view of the recent international situation, timely implementation of measures is essential for the country’s economic stability,” Sharif was quoted as saying at the meeting. “The government is constantly monitoring the situation and all necessary decisions will be taken to provide all possible stability to the national economy.”
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s Finance Minister said that Islamabad was preparing alternative plans to manage the financial impact of rising oil prices.
Speaking at the meeting, Sharif said the austerity measures must protect the interest of the people.
“All government employees and ministers will have to adopt austerity,” he said. “In the current difficult times, it is important to ensure wise use of national resources and as soon as this difficult phase passes and the economy becomes more stable, the government will provide maximum relief to the people.”
Instructions regarding austerity and simplicity will not be applicable to the industry and agriculture sectors so that the country’s production, exports and food security are not affected, according to Sharif’s office.
Several suggestions and recommendations based on austerity and simplicity were presented at the meeting, which were reviewed in detail by participants.
“The briefing was informed that the country has adequate reserves of diesel, petrol and other petroleum products and the government has made advance arrangements to deal with any emergency,” Sharif’s office said.
