NewsApril 14 , 2017
Visa rules for foreigners to be strictly followed: Nisar
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to ensure indiscriminate implementation of rules and regulations regarding issuance of Pakistani visas to foreigners as well as their arrival and stay in the country.In a meeting chaired by Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, it was decided to impose complete ban on issuance of visas on incomplete documents and all such foreigners would not be allowed to enter the country.
In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s missions abroad, Civil Aviation Authority and Immigration Department were directed to ensure indiscriminate implementation of rules and regulations on issuance of Pakistani visas, arrival of foreigners and stay in the country.
The meeting was also attended by secretary Interior, Advocate General, chairman National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) and senior officials of the Ministry and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
In order to ensure impartiality in matters relating to the Pakistani visas, the meeting decided that in future all Pakistani missions abroad and personnel deputed for visas issuance would be responsible for complete assistance to foreign visa applicants and for maintaining the record of visa issuing official and sharing of details with the Ministry of Interior forthwith.
Taking strict notice of negligence in ensuring implementation of set rules and regulations and other irregularities in connection with those foreigners who come to Pakistan for hunting purposes, the minister directed all Pakistani missions, Civil Aviation, FIA and immigration authorities to make sure that all foreign delegations and their staff visiting Pakistan should be issued visas only after provision of required documents and they would only be allowed to enter Pakistan after establishing their legitimacy.
The minister further directed that details of foreign delegates regarding their arrival in Pakistan and their activities during stay would be provided to the Ministry of Interior at least one week before.
The minister said this should also be ensured that prior security clearance for visa should be sought from the Ministry of Interior in case of need.The minister directed the Civil Aviation Authority and FIA to ensure that transportation of staff of foreign delegates and guests coming in advance to Pakistan for hunting purposes would be made only through international airports and no one should be allowed to enter Pakistan without required immigration process.
Chaudhry Nisar said any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated and those responsible would be taken to task.He directed the FIA and Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to make sure establishment of counters equipped with all necessary facilities for immigration clearance of foreign Heads of States and their guests who would come to Pakistan through private flights at any airport with prior approval of the government.
The minister said in view of irregularities in visa matters in the past, it is important to review the visa laws and relevant SOPs and at the same time their implementation must be ensured.
He said in the past, national security was compromised, laws of the land were violated and the national image was damaged through issuance of visas illegally, adding that the integrity and sovereignty of the country demands that implementation of rules and regulations must be ensured without any discrimination.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk
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