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On the occasion of Independence Day, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, announced the launch of a new visa policy aimed at simplifying travel to Pakistan. The policy, which came into effect today at noon, introduces significant changes to the visa application process, abolishing visa fees for citizens of 126 countries. This will allow visa-free entry to countries including China, Japan, and Gulf Countries. This is the new list effective as of fourteenth August 2024.

Simplified Visa Application Process

During a press conference held in Islamabad, Minister Tarar emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating international travel to Pakistan. He highlighted the country’s rich natural beauty and cultural heritage, noting that the new policy is designed to attract tourists from around the world. “Our country is blessed with every natural blessing,” Minister Tarar stated, underscoring Pakistan’s potential as a global tourist destination.

• Key Features of the New Visa Policy:
  • Visa Fees Abolished: The new policy eliminates visa fees for citizens of 126 designated countries.
  • Simplified Form: Applicants will now fill out a streamlined visa application form containing only 30 questions.
  • Immediate Visa Issuance: Visas will be issued immediately upon the completion of the application form, significantly reducing previous bureaucratic delays.

List of Countries as of 14th August, 2024

1. Albania
2. Algeria
3. Andorra
4. Angola
5. Argentina
6. Australia
7. Austria
8. Azerbaijan
9. Bahrain
10. Bangladesh
11. Belarus
12. Belgium
13. Benin
14. Bhutan
15. Bosnia and Herzegovina
16. Brazil
17. Brunei
18. Bulgaria
19. Cambodia
20. Cameroon
21. Canada
22. Chile
23. China
24. Colombia
25. Comoros
26. Croatia
27. Czech Republic
28. Democratic Republic of the Congo
29. Denmark
30. Djibouti
31. Ecuador
32. Egypt
33. Estonia
34. Ethiopia
35. Finland
36. France
37. Gambia
38. Georgia
39. Germany
40. Ghana
41. Greece
42. Guatemala
43. Guinea
44. Guinea-Bissau
45. Honduras
46. Hungary
47. Iceland
48. Indonesia
49. Iran
50. Iraq
51. Ireland
52. Italy
53. Ivory Coast
54. Japan
55. Jordan
56. Kazakhstan
57. Kenya
58. Kosovo
59. Kuwait
60. Kyrgyzstan
61. Latvia
62. Lebanon
63. Liechtenstein
64. Lithuania
65. Luxembourg
66. Madagascar
67. Malawi
68. Malaysia
69. Maldives
70. Malta
71. Mauritania
72. Mauritius
73. Mexico
74. Moldova
75. Montenegro
76. Morocco
77. Mozambique
78. Myanmar
79. Nepal
80. Netherlands
81. New Zealand
82. Nigeria
83. North Macedonia
84. Norway
85. Oman
86. Panama
87. Paraguay
88. Peru
89. Philippines
90. Poland
91. Portugal
92. Qatar
93. Romania
94. Russia
95. Rwanda
96. San Marino
97. Saudi Arabia
98. Senegal
99. Seychelles
100. Sierra Leone
101. Singapore
102. Slovakia
103. Slovenia
104. South Africa
105. South Korea
106. South Sudan
107. Spain
108. Sri Lanka
109. Sweden
110. Switzerland
111. Tajikistan
112. Tanzania
113. Thailand
114. Togo
115. Tunisia
116. Turkey
117. Turkmenistan
118. Uganda
119. Ukraine
120. United Arab Emirates
121. United Kingdom
122. United States
123. Uzbekistan
124. Vietnam
125. Zambia
126. Zimbabwe

Pakistan, a captivating yet underexplored destination in South Asia, is rapidly transforming into a tourism hotspot. This transformation is driven by a new visa-free entry policy for 49 countries, alongside other strategic initiatives aimed at boosting the tourism sector. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently ranked Pakistan as the top-performing tourism destination for the first three quarters of 2023, with international visitor numbers surging by 115% compared to the previous year. This influx of tourists contributed approximately $1.3 billion in foreign exchange revenue, pushing Pakistan’s tourism activity to 92% of its pre-pandemic levels.

Visa-Free Entry Policy: The old list

However earlier the Pakistani government had introduced a new visa-free entry policy for 49 countries, including China, Thailand, and Russia. Additionally, citizens of Gulf countries can now obtain a visa upon arrival by simply presenting their passport .

This policy is expected to significantly enhance Pakistan’s appeal as a travel destination, particularly for tourists seeking unique cultural experiences and breathtaking landscapes. The streamlined visa process is likely to reduce bureaucratic delays, which have previously hindered tourist arrivals, making Pakistan more accessible to a global audience. This is the old list:

NEW UPDATES

Hashoo Group, acknowledged as Pakistan’s leading hospitality services provider, was cited as a testament to this spirit, with its touchpoints across the country’s diverse landscape. For over sixty years, the group had sought to highlight the nation’s strengths and capabilities on both local and global scales, attracting historical enthusiasts, cultural explorers, and adventurers from around the world. The group’s offerings, ranging from picturesque resorts under the Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts brand in Malam Jabba, Bhurban, and Muzaffarabad, to urban properties in metropolitan centers like Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore, were noted for maintaining luxury and elegance throughout, thus presenting the finest image of the country to visitors globally. Their mission was reportedly focused on realizing Pakistan’s immense tourism and hospitality potential and enhancing the sector’s contributions to the national economy, aiming to place Pakistan on the global map of top tourist destinations. With ongoing service evolution and expansion, the group pledged to continue showcasing Pakistan’s unique cultural diversity to the world. Recent ventures, including the first five-star golf resort in Multan, PC Legacy resort at the Rakaposhi base in Hunza, and upcoming hotels in Islamabad, Attabad, and Skardu, were mentioned as steps toward achieving this goal. This Independence Day, the group reportedly encouraged maintaining high patriotism as the nation stood at a historical crossroads, with a call to make tomorrow better than yesterday and elevate Pakistan to new heights of prosperity.

Top Airports and Airlines in Pakistan

Pakistan’s major airports—Karachi Jinnah International Airport, Islamabad International Airport, and Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport—are key gateways for international travelers. These airports are expected to experience increased traffic as a result of the new visa policy. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other private carriers such as Airblue, Serene Air, and Fly Jinnah are poised to benefit from this surge, potentially expanding their domestic and international routes to accommodate the growing number of visitors .

Neighboring Countries and Regional Connectivity

Pakistan shares borders with China, Afghanistan, India, and Iran, and is almost connected to Tajikistan via the Wakhan Corridor. This strategic location enhances its potential as a regional travel hub, offering easy access to diverse tourist attractions. The new visa policy could also foster stronger ties with neighboring countries, encouraging cross-border tourism and economic collaboration.

Top Tourist Destinations in Pakistan

With the easing of visa restrictions, Pakistan’s top tourist destinations are likely to see a rise in international visitors. Lahore, with its rich historical heritage; the scenic Hunza Valley in Karimabad; the bustling cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi; the adventure hub of Skardu; and the spiritual center of Multan are all poised to become more accessible to global travelers .

COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Their Global Impact

While Pakistan is making strides in boosting its tourism sector, the global landscape remains challenging due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Several countries, including Kuwait, have imposed travel bans on Pakistan due to rising COVID-19 cases. As of the latest reports, Kuwait has banned flights and barred entry to travelers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to curb the spread of the virus. Similar restrictions have been imposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia, affecting the flow of travelers to and from these countries .

These restrictions underscore the complexities faced by Pakistan’s tourism industry in navigating the global pandemic. While the new visa policy is a positive step, ongoing health concerns and travel bans pose significant challenges to realizing the full potential of Pakistan’s tourism surge.

Historical Accounts on Pakistan’s Independence Day

• Shahid Nazi’s Reflection (2016):
  • Shahid Nazi, an elderly Pakistani intelligence officer, suggested that Pakistan should commemorate its independence on August 15, as originally intended.
  • The Express Tribune reported that both Jinnah and the Pakistani press took their oaths of office on the morning of August 15, 1947.
  • The first special postage stamps issued in July 1948 also recognized August 15, 1947, as Pakistan’s Day of Independence.
  • August 15, 1947, was particularly significant for Muslims as it coincided with the final Friday of Ramadan.
• Chaudhary Muhammad Ali’s Account:
  • In his 1967 book, The Emergence of Pakistan, Chaudhary Muhammad Ali highlighted that August 15, 1947, was a significant day in Islam, being the last Friday of Ramadan.
  • On this day, Jinnah became the Governor-General of Pakistan, the press was sworn in, the star-and-crescent flag was raised, and Pakistan emerged as an independent nation on the global stage.

Events of August 14, 1947

• Viceroy Lord Mountbatten’s Address:
  • On August 14, 1947, Viceroy Lord Mountbatten addressed the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
  • He was scheduled to hand over power to both India and Pakistan on the night of August 15.
  • Due to logistical constraints, Mountbatten handed over power to Pakistan in Karachi on August 14 before heading to New Delhi.
• Kamal Aziz’s Observation:
  • Kamal Aziz, a renowned historian, noted that Mountbatten, as the British King’s representative, had to personally transfer power to the new countries.
  • Since it was impossible for Mountbatten to be in both Karachi and New Delhi simultaneously, he chose to hand over power to Pakistan first on August 14.

The Change in Independence Day Date

• Reason for the Change:
  • Originally, Pakistan, like India, was to celebrate its independence on August 15.
  • However, Pakistan shifted its Independence Day to August 14 in 1948.
• Explanations for the Date Change:
  • Reports suggest that certain Pakistani leaders preferred to celebrate Independence Day one day before India.
  • A meeting led by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan in June 1948 resulted in the decision to move the date to August 14.
  • Although Jinnah reportedly agreed to the change, some, like Yasser Latif Hamdani, author of Jinnah: Myth and Reality, argued that by August 1948, Jinnah was too ill to have made such a decision.
  • Hamdani defended the date change, emphasizing the need for Pakistan, as a new nation, to establish its own identity.
• Intelligence Officer’s Insight:
  • Shahid Nazi suggested that Pakistani leaders likely preferred to choose a different date from India’s for their Independence Day celebration.

Global Implications for Travelers

The introduction of Pakistan’s visa-free entry policy is likely to have a significant impact on global travel patterns. Tourists from the 49 eligible countries, including China and Russia, may now consider Pakistan as a viable travel destination, contributing to increased cultural exchange and economic growth. However, travelers must remain vigilant about the evolving COVID-19 situation, as sudden travel restrictions could disrupt plans.