Pakistan's passport ranking and international travel facilitation have improved, with several visa facilitation agreements concluded with different countries, including arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders.
The State Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Talal Chaudhry, has announced that Pakistan's passport ranking and international travel facilitation have improved in the current period, reflecting the government's performance. This improvement is a result of the government's efforts to enhance the country's travel facilitation and protect its citizens living abroad. The government fully acknowledges its responsibility to address matters related to visas and passports, and it has made significant progress in this area.
The minister urged lawmakers to compare the current and previous tenures in terms of results and assess the performance over the past two to two-and-a-half years. He also several visa facilitation agreements have been concluded with different countries, including arrangements for diplomatic and official passport holders, while progress has also been made on visa-free entry arrangements. For instance, official and diplomatic passport holders are now being granted entry to the United Arab Emirates under new arrangements, which was not available earlier.
Pakistan's relations with Gulf countries remain strong, with overseas Pakistanis continuing to contribute significantly to the economy. Remittances from Saudi Arabia rank first, followed by the United Arab Emirates, where more than 1.7 million Pakistanis are living and contributing to both their host country and Pakistan's economy. The government will address every genuine complaint and ensure equal protection for all Pakistani citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or background. The state treats all citizens equally and is committed to safeguarding them without discrimination.
The minister also referred to terrorism, saying that political leaders often deliver speeches on the issue, but the real need is to review performance and ground realities. The fight against terrorism is being carried out jointly by the federal and provincial governments. He called for a detailed parliamentary debate on the implementation of the National Action Plan, saying all stakeholders had previously agreed on it. If shortcomings exist in implementation, they should be identified, and lawmakers should dedicate a session to assess the plan's execution and effectiveness in countering terrorism. This will help to ensure that the country is taking the right steps to combat terrorism and protect its citizens.
In conclusion, the improvement in Pakistan's passport ranking and visa facilitation is a positive step forward for the country. The government's efforts to enhance travel facilitation and protect its citizens living abroad are commendable, and it is essential to continue this progress. By working together, the government and lawmakers can ensure that the country remains safe and secure for all its citizens, and that its relations with other countries continue to strengthen.
