Minimum two years validity for CPEC Business Visas
CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO PAKISTAN HIS EXCELLENCY MR. NONG RONG CALLING ON FEDERAL MINISTER FOR INTERIOR SHEIKH RASHID AHMED IN ISLAMABAD ON JUNE 3, 2021.
Islamabad: Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the minimum validity for the Special China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Business Visa had been set at two years.
In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong here, he said the government had approved a new visa policy regarding CPEC projects for Chinese nationals.
“The minimum period of new visas for Chinese nationals has been set at two years under the new policy,” he said, according to an official statement released by the interior ministry after the meeting.
The Minister and the Chinese Ambassador discussed issues of mutual interest including Pakistan-China bilateral relations, CPEC projects, Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation agreements and visa facilitation for Chinese citizens, said the statement.
The Minister expressed pleasure over the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. “Chinese nationals would now be issued two-year work visas within 48 hours from the respective missions. A separate visa category has been created for Chinese citizens related to CPEC projects. Special desks are also being set up at airports to facilitate Chinese citizens,” the Interior Minister told the Chinese envoy.
The Interior Minister thanked the Chinese government for providing the coronavirus vaccine to Pakistan and the Ambassador commended the arrangements made by Pakistan to control the pandemic.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that arrangements should be made for return of Pakistani students to China for study as they are facing risk of wasting precious academic year.
The Minister said that friendship between Pakistan and China was based on mutual trust and Pakistan is proud of its friendship which will be made stronger.
The Chinese Ambassador on the occasion said that he was grateful to the government of Pakistan for easing visa facilities for Chinese nationals, which would further enhance the relationship between the two countries, increase investment in CPEC related projects and create new job opportunities.
The Chinese Ambassador said that every possible effort would be made for the return of Pakistani students as soon as possible. He noted that CPEC related projects were the evidences of strong and old relationships between both the countries. “Pakistan is China’s Iron Brother,” he remarked.
