NOC regime ended for foreigners as step towards making Pakistan ‘heaven for tourists’

As part of its new visa policy, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has ended the requirement of a non objection certificate (NOC) for foreigners seeking to visit certain parts of Pakistan.

Announcing the 'landmark achievement' on his Twitter, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said, "Another landmark achieved [as] NOC regime for foreigners come to an end." He said that this was Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision to make Pakistan heaven for tourists.

"Following new visa regime this important policy decision of ending NOC requirements is a leap forward," Chaudhry added. The information minister also shared a notification by the Interior Ministry.

Under the notification, "Free movement of foreigners shall be allowed in open cantonments except prohibited and restricted areas with visible signboards. The border crossings will be open and non-restricted."

Another landmark acheived NOC regime for foreigners come to an end, ?@ImranKhanPTI? vision is to make Pak a heaven for tourists and following new Visa regime this important policy decision of ending NOC requirements is a leap forward #DiscoverPakistan pic.twitter.com/LEjU0QcQk5

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 26, 2019

The PM had announced a new visa policy on March 14, under which a visa on arrival facility has been introduced for tourists of 50 countries and business visa on arrival for 96 countries. As per the new visa policy, Pakistani missions abroad will grant three-month e-visas to foreigners in 175 countries within a processing time of 7-10 working days.