Online visas to enhance business, tourism for Pakistan

Online visas to enhance business, tourism for Pakistan as it announced the introduction of online visas for Chinese citizens earlier this month.

Pakistan’s introduction of online visas for Chinese citizens reflects strengthened economic cooperation and increased exchanges between the two nations, analysts believe, noting that this move could boost Pakistan’s economy.

As of Wednesday, Chinese citizens can apply for visas online, simplifying the process for Chinese businesspeople to visit Pakistan, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Earlier this month, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the change during a meeting with a Chinese business delegation, led by Chinese Consul General in Lahore Zhao Shiren.

The Pakistani government is prioritizing providing ample facilities for Chinese citizens conducting business in Pakistan, alongside ensuring their safety.

Zafar Uddin Mahmood, president of the Understanding China Forum and former special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), highlighted that the streamlined online visa process will facilitate bilateral exchanges.

Imran Khalid, a Karachi-based international affairs commentator, added that the simplified visa process will enable more frequent travel for Chinese individuals and companies, deepening economic ties.

With the summer travel season ending and the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, Pakistan is likely to see an influx of Chinese tourists, according to Chinese travel agencies.

Pakistan has been actively working to attract Chinese tourists to its scenic and historic sites through various initiatives.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, over 225,000 Chinese tourists visited Pakistan annually. Last year, Chinese tourists began returning as the two countries celebrated the Pakistan-China Year of Tourism Exchanges.

In January, Caretaker Minister of State for Tourism Wasi Shah announced that Pakistan experienced a 115 percent increase in foreign tourism last year, generating $1.3 billion in foreign exchange revenue. The country saw a 92 percent recovery to pre-pandemic tourism levels, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Khalid noted that the benefits of the online visa process could extend beyond tourism and business, fostering collaboration in academia and technology, driving innovation, and promoting shared growth between China and Pakistan.

This streamlined process will also make it easier for businesspeople, technical staff, and professionals to travel to Pakistan and contribute to joint ventures, particularly CPEC-related projects, Khalid added.