On Wednesday, Pakistan tightened its visa policies for Chinese nationals, especially for those who visiting the country on work-related visas.
The decision taken by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan came days after the kidnapping and killing of two Chinese nationals who were "misusing" their business visas. This move was to ensure that the visa-friendly regime between the countries are not misused in any way.
Chinese nationals seeking business visas would have to present an invitation from a recognised body at any of Pakistan’s missions in China.A report in Dawn stated
Taking note of a few incidents of showing forged and fake documents of ghost companies, it was decided to regulate the process of granting extensions in business visas and the authority to extend such visas have been transferred from the regional passport offices to headquarters in Islamabad.
Pakistani missions abroad would issue a maximum of one year multiple entry work visa and further extensions in work visa would be granted by the Ministry of Interior only.
Khan said that a comprehensive mechanism should be put in place for sharing of information of not only USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor related workers but also of other Chinese nationals visiting the country.
Keeping in view various issues being faced by the foreign spouses who are married to Pakistani nationals, it was decided to re-introduce Pakistan Origin Cards to the foreign spouses after addressing certain issues that led to suspension of these cards.
The interior minister also asked the National Database and Registration Authority to share data on Chinese nationals with security guards.
(With inputs from PTI)
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