• Pakistan has eased visa policy for Afghan traders, workers
• New work sub-category has been added for drivers, transporters, helpers
• Multi-entry six month visa will be issued within 48 hours

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved a new visa regime for Afghan citizens including traders and those visiting the country on medical grounds.

The policy was reviewed by the Interior Ministry (Afghan Inter-ministerial cell) during an apex committee meeting which also included representatives of the Foreign Office, NADRA and Board of Investment, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said.

Under the reviewed policy, the Pakistan missions abroad would process the visa applications of Afghans on the basis of existing passport and nationality instead of their country of origin.

In order to further promote bilateral trade with Afghanistan, she said the cabinet had approved the inclusion of a sub-category in the work visa category for drivers, transporters and helpers. The approval for introducing the sub-category in the online visa system was also given.

The information minister further apprised that a multi-entry visa for six months would be issued within 48 hours, while the interior ministry had been authorized to extend the period to one year.

She said the documents required for obtaining the visa would include the applicant’s picture, passport, and transport company registration and employment letters, while the entry visa page would need to be submitted for the visa extension.

Marriyum said the Afghans who sought visas in driver, transporter and helper categories were exempted from obtaining the BOI’s letter of recommendation and registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The minister said the initiative was aimed at ensuring the ease of doing business which would eventually boost the trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, she added.

She said the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had been directed to bring changes in the online system after approval of the policy.

A committee had been set up to ensure the continuity of ease of doing business for traders. The minister said the cabinet approved relaxing the visa policy for those coming from Afghanistan on medical grounds.