ISLAMABAD – The government of Pakistan has confirmed granting free visas to citizens from Turkey as efforts to promote tourism are being ramped up in the country.
In this regard, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that free of cost online visa facility will be available to Turkish nationals from Wednesday, August 14th.
Talking to Turkish Ambassador Dr. Mehmet Paçaci in Islamabad on Sunday, the minister said that the visa fee waiver step will ease the arrival of Turkish nationals to Pakistan.
It bears mentioning that Prime Minister Shhebaz Sharif recently announced that the government was introducing major changes in the visa regime, adding that those visiting Pakistan from the selected 126 countries would not have to pay the fee for visas.
Talking to cabinet members during the crucial meeting, the prime minister said that the government had to decide between earning a few million dollars collected through the visa fees or promoting investment by exempting the visa fee completely.
‘A few of the members highlighted that Pakistan would lose around five to seven million dollars collected through visa fees annually,’ said the premier but hastened to add that if Pakistan is able to earn 50 million dollars through the collected efforts then it would be a landmark achievement.
A press release issued after the cabinet meeting confirmed that the federal cabinet approved the enforcement of an online visa application system for the citizens of 126 countries aimed at the promotion of business and investment activities and the tourism sector.
‘Under the system, the citizens of these 126 countries would get business and tourist visas within 24 hours and would be exempted from paying free visa processing fees,’ stated the press release.
