ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday Pakistan had made positive changes to its visa policy to enhance ease of doing business as the country strives to strengthen its economy by attracting foreign investment and exploring more trade opportunities.
Pakistan has faced a prolonged economic crisis that led the country to seek financial assistance from friendly nations and global lenders like the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Earlier this month, Pakistan secured a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $7 billion bailout facility to strengthen macroeconomic gains made over the last year, during which the country bolstered its forex reserves and brought down inflation from 38 percent to a little over 12 percent.
However, the government has also actively pursued economic diplomacy in the region by seeking more investment and enhancing trade and regional connectivity.
Addressing the cabinet meeting, the prime minister mentioned consultations with his team about two weeks ago, during which the visa policy came up for discussion.
“We have brought a major change in the visa regime, taking the number of countries exempt from visa fees to 126,” he said. “Tourists, businessmen, and other travelers from these 126 countries will not be charged visa fees.”
He pointed out this would lead to a loss of few million dollars, but would be instrumental in promoting investment in the country.
“It was mutually agreed that we should take this quantum jump to ensure ease of doing business in Pakistan,” he added.
The prime minister expressed hope the new visa policy would make Pakistan an attractive destination for foreigners.
He announced that visas would be issued within 24 hours to visitors planning to come to Pakistan.
Sharif noted this step would lead to a significant increase in large-scale economic activities in the country and further boost Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
While acknowledging the security challenges faced by the country, he added the coalition government was making concerted efforts to address the situation.
Pakistan approves free visas for 126 countries to boost business, tourism
https://arab.news/yvus4
Pakistan approves free visas for 126 countries to boost business, tourism
- Shehbaz Sharif says the government has taken the number of countries exempt from visa fees to 126
- He says the decision will make Pakistan an attractive destination, further boost its forex reserves
Pakistani YouTuber ‘Ducky Bhai’ alleges custodial torture, pledges to accept gambling case ruling
- Saadur Rehman in hour-long video accuses NCCIA officers of inflicting mental and physical torture during his custody
- ’Ducky Bhai’ was arrested in August at the Lahore airport on charges of promoting online gambling, betting applications
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani YouTuber Saadur Rehman, popularly known as “Ducky Bhai,” on Sunday accused the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) of mental and physical torture after his arrest earlier this year on charges of promoting gambling and betting applications.
He made the accusations in an hour-long video on his YouTube channel, his first after being granted bail last month, in which he gave a detailed account of his interrogation in custody.
Rehman was arrested by NCCIA in August from the Lahore airport while he was trying to travel to Malaysia to attend an event on invitation. He was granted bail by the Lahore High Court on Nov. 25 but was not released from custody immediately.
“I don’t want anyone to think that the purpose of this video is to offer any justification for the FIR [first information report] that has been filed against me,” Rehman said in a YouTube video posted on his channel. “I am simply here to apologize.
If any of my content has had a negative impact to date, I apologize for that.”
He said he was going to accept the court verdict in the case.
“Let the court handle this matter legally. I am ready to fully cooperate with the courts and am doing so,” he continued. “I will fully cooperate with the agency and accept whatever decision the judge makes in my case.”
Rehman also alleged that NCCIA Lahore Additional Director Sarfraz Chaudhry abused him verbally and physically, slapping him multiple times while questioning him about how he earned a large income.
He said Chaudhry accused him of “corrupting the minds of children,” highlighting that NCCIA officials had seized around $326,000 from his Binance account, closing all his trades, converting his cryptocurrency into US dollars and transferring the funds.
It is pertinent to mention that Chaudhry was removed from his post in September following multiple controversies involving him, Rehman’s family and online gambling.
In October, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested six NCCIA personnel on allegations of misusing their authority and taking bribes.
The complaint in the case was filed against nine persons including eight NCCIA personnel, with the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle in Lahore, following a complaint by Rehman’s wife, Aroob Jatoi.
Rehman is one of Pakistan’s most popular YouTubers. He has uploaded over 750 videos on the video-sharing platform and has amassed over 8.38 million subscribers.
He was also booked by Pakistan’s Motorway Police this year in April for performing dangerous stunts while driving.
