Pakistan interior ministry reviews visa policy for Chinese nationals

Pakistan Interior Ministry on Wednesday made a policy decision to review the conditions for the issuance of visas to Chinese nationals after the recent abduction and killing of two Chinese nationals in Quetta.

The decision to make visa rules stringent for the Chinese citizens comes days after Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar had informed that the killed Chinese nationals were secretly preaching Christianity and entered Pakistan on a business visa.

According to the ministry, the decision to tighten the visa norms is being taken in order to ensure regulation, streamlining and transparency of the process of visa issuance to Chinese nationals, as well as to preclude misuse of the visa-friendly regime that exists between the two countries.

In a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Nisar the key decision were taken. And now Business visas, visa on arrival to Chinese nationals will only be granted after production of invitation/assignment letter certified and endorsed by recognised Industry along with a letter from other designated Pakistani officers posted abroad for the promotion of business activities.

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The ministry also reached a decision that extensions of business visa will only be granted by the Interior Ministry on request and after provision of required documents by the employer.

Interior Minister Nisar also directed Nadra to expedite consolidation of data of Chinese nationals present in Pakistan so that it could be shared with security agencies in order to ensure maximum security arrangements.