Saudi govt to provide E-Visa facility to Pakistani pilgrims: Qadri

Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said on Thursday that the Saudi government has made a decision to issue E-Visa facility to Pakistani pilgrims.

The minister added that during the visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister Imran Khan made a special request to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims during the immigration process when visiting the kingdom for pilgrimage.

Qadri further said pilgrims travelling from Pakistan will no longer wait for hours on end at Saudi airports. After Karachi, the facility will be extended to Lahore and Islamabad.

During his visit, the crown prince appreciated Prime Minister Imran’s agenda of transforming Pakistan into a welfare state, based on Islamic socio-economic principles and assured him of the kingdom’s continued support.

Both leaders noted the growing momentum in the countries’ bilateral relations in all areas of cooperation. With a view to enhancing bilateral relations, the two brotherly countries decided to establish a Joint Supreme Coordination Council co-chaired by the Crown Prince and the Pakistani premier.

The two leaders also agreed to further strengthen measures to promote trade and witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding pertaining to investment opportunities worth over $20 billion.

The premier had also requested Prince Mohammad, who was on a two-day visit to the Islamic republic, to take special care of Pakistani residents in KSA.

Source: The Express Tribune