By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Wednesday said that online visa service will be started for Afghan citizens to make this process more transparent and smooth. Talking to the media, the minister said that this new system will start working within 10 days as the government will provide an on-arrival visa.
He said that the government will use modern technology to get data and maintain the complete records of entry and exit movements. He said that this system will be applicable on two borders initially while other five borders will be included later. He said that the government was going to announce an amnesty to all visa-holders to submit an application by 30th of next month and make sure their exit from Pakistan.
“Otherwise, they have to face cases against them in Pakistan”, he added. He said that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been given the task to avoid hoarding of dollars in the country. He added the present government was making sincere efforts to provide all basic facilities for the country’s people.
He said that things were changing in the region and Pakistan being a responsible state would fulfill its responsibility of national security while meeting international expectations as a major country in the region with the objective to strengthen peace in Afghanistan. He said that the borders of Torkham and Chaman had been placed on the biometric system while the remaining borders will also be added to the system later. He said that the Pakistan army was proficiently accomplishing its responsibility and performing duties on borders to safeguard the country.
