Kuwait has restored family and business visas for Pakistani citizens after ten years. This was announced by Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah while talking to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad in Kuwait on Sunday. It was said that Shaikh Rashid handed over a special letter written by Prime Minister Imran Khan to his Kuwaiti Counterpart. According to reports, it was decided during meeting that technical visas will be issued for Pakistani workers in medical and oil field. Sheikh noted that after this decision, huge job opportunities will be available for Pakistanis in Kuwait and by lifting ban on business visa, the trade will also increase between the two countries. Shaikh Rashid thanked the Kuwaiti Prime Minister on restoration of Visa for Pakistani citizens. In fact, issuance of visas to other national is purely a private decision of any government which usually base on the business, or political interest of the state. Speaking on the occasion, the Kuwaiti prime minister said that the relations between the two countries span over seven decades and there is a relationship of love and trust between the people of Pakistan and Kuwait. Shaikh reciprocated these emotions and said all Pakistanis consider Kuwait as their second home and Pakistani labour played a very important role in Kuwait’s early development. A glance into the history is pertinent that a ban on issuance of Kuwati visas to several Countries including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria was imposed by the government of Kuwait while sorting security concerns in these countries back in 2011. The government of Pakistan was in negotiations with Kuwaiti authorities to lift the ban for Pakistani laborers, workers, and businessmen to provide relief to the overseas workers, expand exports and create job opportunities in brotherly Muslim country during recent months. Although, Foreign Minister SM Qureshi met with his Kuwaiti counterpart at sidelines of special meeting of UN General Assembly on Palestinian issue two weeks back. But the instrument which Shaikh Rashid brought with himself proved to be more effective than all other actions as it opened the door which was sealed over the decade. However, it is very fortunate for the people and government of Pakistan and we must give its credit to the effective and kinetic diplomacy of PTI government.
