Nisar Suspends Pakistan's Visa Abolition Agreement With Kuwait

Sumaira FH Published July 29, 2016 | 08:03 PM

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th july, 2016) : Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday suspended Pakistan's visa abolitionagreement with Kuwait in the backdrop of difficulties being faced by Pakistani government officials and diplomats during their travel to the country. "Despite the accord with Kuwait, Pakistani government officials holding Blue and Diplomatic passports were still required to get visa for travelling to Kuwait which was against spirit of the agreement," a spokesman while quoting the minister said in a statement issued here.

As per details, agreement of waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports was signed between Pakistan and Kuwait in November 2013, while the agreement was implemented in August 2014.

"Such visa regimes and agreements are meant to ease travelling of the government officials and diplomats, however, an agreement cannot last which is not reciprocated and mutually beneficial," remarked the minister. It is pertinent to mention that issue of visas for Kuwait was also raised by a Senate member in upper-house where it was pointed out that despite signing a visa abolition agreement with Kuwait, Pakistani officials were still required to gain a Kuwaiti visa before travelling to Kuwait.