ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced visa-free entry into Pakistan for businessmen from Gulf nations, amid a push for trade and investment in the South Asian country.
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).
Islamabad and the IMF this month agreed on a $7 billion loan deal to strengthen macroeconomic gains made over the last year, during which Pakistan bolstered its forex reserves and brought down inflation from 38 percent to a little over 12 percent.
In a statement issued from his office, Sharif said the government was making it easy and convenient for foreign investors, business community and tourists to obtain Pakistani visas.
“Visa-free entry into Pakistan for businessmen from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been approved, due to which investment and business opportunities in Pakistan from the Gulf countries will increase further,” he said in a statement.
In recent months, Sharif’s government has actively pursued economic diplomacy in the region by seeking more investment and enhancing trade and regional connectivity. This week, it announced free visas for 126 countries.
“With the decision to relax the visa policy, Pakistan will become an attractive destination for foreign nationals in terms of business and tourism,” the prime minister said further.
“A separate sub-category has also been approved for visa-on-arrival facility for Sikh pilgrims holding passports of third countries.”
Sharif noted that Pakistan had sacred places of many religions, and Gilgit-Baltistan and other northern areas of the country were a major attraction for tourists from all over the world.
He said a “dashboard” would be established in the Ministry of Interior for the implementation of the new visa regime, which would monitor visa-free entry, business visa list and tourist visas on arrival.
Pakistan announces visa-free entry for businessmen from Gulf countries
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Pakistan announces visa-free entry for businessmen from Gulf countries
- PM Shehbaz Sharif says move will further increase investment, business opportunities in Pakistan from Gulf nations
- In a similar bid this week, the Pakistani government approved free visas for 126 countries worldwide to boost tourism
Pakistan launches digital cash aid for low-income families during Ramadan, PM says
- Ramadan relief moves from state-run Utility Stores to targeted digital wallet transfers
- Government to transfer financial assistance through wallets to support sehri, iftar expenses
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will provide financial assistance to low-income households through digital wallets during the fasting month of Ramadan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday, announcing a government relief initiative aimed at helping families afford daily meals.
The support program comes as many Pakistanis continue to face elevated food and utility costs despite easing inflation, with Ramadan traditionally increasing household spending on staple foods, fruits and energy consumption.
For decades, government-run Utility Stores Corporation outlets were central to Ramadan relief in Pakistan, selling subsidized flour, sugar, ghee and pulses through special “Ramzan packages” that drew long queues in low-income neighborhoods. In recent years, however, authorities have steadily scaled back the system amid mounting losses, corruption complaints and logistical inefficiencies, shifting instead toward targeted cash transfers delivered through digital wallets and banking channels.
The change reflects a broader policy move away from state-managed commodity distribution toward direct financial assistance intended to give households flexibility while reducing leakages in subsidy programs.
“The Government of Pakistan has launched a Ramadan package under which financial assistance will be transferred to deserving individuals through digital wallets so that households can maintain sehri and iftar meals,” Sharif said in a message issued by his office.
The prime minister said Ramadan encourages compassion and collective responsibility toward vulnerable segments of society, adding that welfare support was part of the state’s duty during the holy month.
Officials say the digital cash transfers approach improves transparency and reduces corruption risks while enabling faster payments nationwide, particularly in urban low-income communities.
But the shift to fully digital assistance also brings challenges.
Access to smartphones and reliable mobile Internet remains uneven, particularly in rural areas and among older recipients, while many low-income households use SIM cards registered to someone else, complicating verification.
