Pakistan introduces online visa facilities for 192 countries: minister

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh announced Wednesday that Pakistan has introduced online visa facilities for 192 countries as part of efforts to promote tourism and attract foreign investment.

Speaking at the Sustainable Tourism Forum and Expo organized jointly by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Islamic Chamber of Commerce at a local hotel, the minister highlighted Pakistan’s recent economic achievements and outlined plans for further development of the tourism sector.

“Through collective efforts, we have made significant progress, and our stock market is now ranked among the best in the world,” Sheikh said. “Industrial investment is continuously increasing, and further measures are needed to promote tourism.”

The minister emphasized that sustainable development will be of great importance in the near future and expressed his best wishes for the success of the sustainable tourism forum, pledging full government support for the initiative.

Sheikh credited the Prime Minister and Field Marshal for playing a prominent role in Pakistan’s development, noting that tourism in Pakistan is on the rise.

Under the new visa policy, citizens of 192 countries are eligible to obtain online visas, while travellers from 120 countries have been granted visa-on-arrival facilities. These reforms are designed to simplify travel procedures and encourage international tourism.

FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh pointed out that tourism accounts for 10 percent of the global economy, with many developed countries focusing heavily on this sector.

“Pakistan is among the few countries in the world that experience all four seasons,” he said. “Almighty has blessed us with natural beauty to maintain the world’s balance, but some elements are destroying nature’s beauty for their own financial interests.”

Sheikh emphasized that tourism provides opportunities for employment, trade promotion, and can significantly improve GDP.

He said that Pakistan possesses unique historical and cultural sites, including the ancient Mohenjo-daro civilization in the north and the country’s Sufi heritage, which hold extraordinary importance for tourism development.

Senior Vice President of FPCCI Saqib Fayyaz Magoon said that significant increases are being observed in Pakistan’s tourism sector, though additional measures are still needed to further promote the tourism business.

Secretary General of the Islamic Chamber of Commerce Sheikh Yousuf Hassan Khalawi described tourism promotion as a major source of a strong economy, noting that sustainable tourism development will be of great importance in the near future.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026