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Russia exploring visa-free travel for these Muslim countries

06:32 PM | 14 Sep, 2023
Russia exploring visa-free travel for these Muslim countries

MOSCOW -  Authorities in Russia are planning to cancel visa requirements for visitors from five major Muslim countries, in what appears to be a major development.

The countries under consideration for the relaxation are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Malaysia. The initiative was confirmed on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum when Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Russia is actively working on removing visa requirements for selected Asian countries.

“We have a rather successful visa regime with quite a few [Asian] countries. This is a very important task and we will continue to implement it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov also said the country has proposed a visa-free travel regime to Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia.

“We are exploring the topic of making the transition to visa-free travels,” Reshetnikov was quoted as saying on Monday.

The minister explained that Moscow was especially looking at countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and has already proposed ending visas for these five countries.

“This is where incremental growth of premium class tourists is possible in particular,” Reshetnikov said.

The development comes weeks after Russia reached an agreement with China when both countries started to allow tour groups visit without visas; Reshetnikov also admitted that the arrangement with China and Iran was not perfect, and the government was working on making it better.

The plan for the Muslim countries is to end the need for tourist visas for citizens from these countries and Russians visiting the five nations.

Travel experts are considering it a big step as the agreement with the countries could help Russia attract more tourists, especially during the summer season.

The initiative is also important against the backdrop of the fact that after the invasion of Ukraine, many Western countries banned Russian planes from their airspace and so Russia might be eyeing to gain soft power through this move.

On the other hand, critics also believe that Russia is not safe because it is close to the Ukraine war zone and there have been reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in parts of Western and Southern Russia near the Ukraine border, Moscow and St. Petersburg. 

Nonetheless, a final decision in this regard is awaited.

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Pakistani rupee exchange rate to US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, and Riyal - 10 Dec 2023

Pakistani rupee remains largely stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Sunday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Sunday, the US dollar was being quoted at 283.4 for buying and 285.95 for selling.

Euro comes down to 307 for buying and 310 for selling. British Pound rate remains unchanged at 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.2 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 283.4 285.95
Euro EUR 307 310
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 362
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.2 78
Saudi Riyal SAR 76 76.8
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 755.82 763.82
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.82 40.22
Danish Krone DKK 41.14 41.54
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.37 36.72
Indian Rupee INR 3.41 3.52
Japanese Yen JPY 1.39 1.45
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 922.14 931.14
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.82 61.42
New Zealand Dollar NZD 175.33 177.33
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.12 26.42
Omani Riyal OMR 738.71 741.76
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.07 78.77
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.32 27.62
Swiss Franc CHF 324.5 327
Thai Bhat THB 8.08 8.23

Gold price drops in Pakistan; Check out today gold rates here

Gold prices decreased in local markets in line with the trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 10 December 2023

On Sunday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs216,300, and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs185,450.

Single tola of 22 Karat Gold price costs Rs198,274, 21 karat rate per tola costs Rs189,263 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,225 for each tola.

In the global market, gold prices hovers around $2,004 per ounce, after drop of $23.35 on Sunday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Karachi PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Islamabad PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Peshawar PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Quetta PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Sialkot PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Attock PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Gujranwala PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Jehlum PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Multan PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Bahawalpur PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Gujrat PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Nawabshah PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Chakwal PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Hyderabad PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Nowshehra PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Sargodha PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Faisalabad PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486
Mirpur PKR 216,300 PKR 2,486

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