Getting foreigners into ports

Ports are sensitive areas for a number of reasons, primarily because they are the points through which any nation’s trade moves.

Karachi Port handles approximately 60 percent of Pakistan’s maritime cargo traffic, Port Qasim handles roughly 35 percent while Gwadar Port is gradually becoming the hub of activity because cargo movement will escalate, especially as a result of the uncertainties in the Strait of Hormuz. It is envisaged that even smaller ports would now get the impetus to complement the major ports in handling maritime cargo.

With nonstop activity at all three major ports, there is and will be an increase in presence of non-Pakistanis whether those who work on ships or those who would be involved in port equipment, or those who have to visit ships for whatever reason.

Entry of foreigners into ports’ areas requires coordination of various agencies, especially for registration, verifying credentials, and issuance of No Objection Certificates. For companies involved in port, the bureaucratic trail becomes time consuming and burdensome.

Take a case of XYZ Corporation involved at the ports. Suppose port equipment needs immediate repairs or modification, and the supplier nominates a technical person to be at, say, Karachi Port. The procedure is worth understanding. XYZ obtains copies of passport and visa (it is assumed that visa has been issued on time by the efficient Pakistani diplomatic post somewhere in the world).

XYZ, being a member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has already applied for visa recommendation after fulfilling all paperwork and formalities, including the prescribed fee. Now comes the time-consuming task of getting NOCs. It is, of course, assumed that the process would be handled in routine manner without using any influence or otherwise.

First and foremost, a request letter, containing all information and documents, is addressed to Sindh Home Department and deposited to Section Officer (Passports) at Receiving and Issuance (R&I) desk. XYZ representative is interviewed and has to give details why the foreigner is needed, where he will stay, how long will he be at the port, what will be his movements after hours, etc.? Once he is able to satisfy the officer, then Section Officer initiates a letter for verification to Sindh Police (Investigation) for NOC.

The SPI will send a copy of Home Department letter to Senior Superintendent Police CIA to get Criminal Record Clearance (CRO). Once this is taken care of, the letter is dispatched to Sindh Police Special Branch where another process commences. A copy is addressed to Additional Inspector General Police (Special Branch) for verification of XYZ as well as all its employees.

Due to new SOP from AIGP, If XYZ applying for first time for a foreigner or a foreign delegation must obtain EVS Portal ID and register, and must have individual laptop, Biometric device, and webcam. The representative then has to visit Central Police Office where IT Department will configure and install software. XYZ has to nominate one or two of its trustworthy employees to access Portal. After installation, IT Department gives training on how to enter data, login, and other issues if faced.

All relevant data is typed by XYZ to obtain clearance for CEO, all employees, and office location. SSP Branch then has to coordinate with SSP-Foreign Security Cell (FSC) and DSP-Survey Department to check, survey, and report verification of XYZ by conducting physical visit, a process that can take 15 to 20 days.

The DSP survey report and SSP-FSC clearance report are sent to AIGP for issuance of NOC and dispatches Clearance Report and CRO to Home Department.

Once received in R&I, it will take two to three days to initiate five copies of NOC from Section Officer (Passport) addressed to DIG SPU, DG FIA, DG Ministry Port & Shipping, Director Naval Intelligence (Security), and XYZ.

Now enters another step. In DG Ports & Shipping, there are two Section Officers for Pakistan Ports designated as P I – Port Qasim and P II – Karachi Port Trust.

The SO concerned contacts XYZ to visit alongwith request letter on company letterhead with attached copy of Passport/Visa and flight ticket (SO takes atleast three days). When NOC is ready, SO sends copies to Director Naval Intelligence, KPT Dock Security, and XYZ. Naval Intelligence, after receiving NOC from Home Department and DG Ministry of Port & Shipping, takes three days and sends NOC to KPT Dock Security.

Dock Security will contact XYZ to collect two copies of NOC, one for KPT Central Pass Issuing Officer (CPIO) and one for XYZ. Dock Security will send the mail to Chairman KPT who will direct CPIO to check and scrutinize all four NOCs of relevant departments and issue, within two or three days, a Temporary Pass for Foreigner (TPF), stating duration and giving permission to be in the port area.

The entire process from first requesting Sindh Home Department to issuance of TPF usually takes 40 to 45 days even if there is an emergency, such as immediate repairs or modification of particular Port equipment. It should be noted that this process of NOC is not for foreign seafarers since their modus operandi is another matter. Rules are more stringent for Chinese seafarers (and even Chinese technicians). If, for example, five Chinese seafarers need to leave port to return home or arrive at the airport, there is a separate SOP, taking into account their security. It is mandatory to drive them in a bullet-proof vehicle, only up to three Chinese are allowed in one vehicle (if there are five, then two bullet-proof vehicles are required), Chinese national is prohibited from sitting in front seat, and vehicle must be escorted by a police detail.

Prior information has to be given to concerned Police Station, and Chinese nationals cannot leave till police van has arrived. It has become obligatory to finance the diesel for van, food for policemen, and gratuity amount for taking time out to escort the vehicle. It goes without saying that national security is paramount and it is responsibility of state to ensure full security, and that is why the police van has a jammer installed. This SOP is mandatory even if there is one Chinese, even if that person is an Able Seaman whose job is akin to being a janitor. Every person has the same status when it comes to security and safety.

Going through the entire process initially enables companies like XYZ to be registered and hence time and efforts are saved since usual verification has been done. Consequently, XYZ will save time when applying for the next foreigner.

Another way to shave time is if a company CEO or Director has direct approach in the above offices. Then fast track response is possible. Even if no influence is used, the company representative can personally deliver the documents from one office to another otherwise these departments send via Pakistan Post. Therefore, it is high time one-window, faceless, digitized system is introduced so that NOCs are issued in a quick mode. Someone once remarked that “an endless paper trail for foreign technical experts does not protect a Port; it paralyzes it.

True maritime efficiency requires transitioning from unpredictable, manually reviewed NOCs to automated, time-bound security clearances.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026