NoC from interior, foreign ministries must for Saudis before travelling to Pakistan

Lahore, Mar 5 : Saudi Arabia nationals wishing to travel to Pakistan will hitherto have to obtain a no objection certificate (NoC) from the country's Foreign and Interior ministries, before applying for a visa.

Besides, those travelling to the South Asian country for business purpose will be required to have an invitation signed and stamped by the concerned Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Pakistan before obtaining a business visa, reported the Daily Times.

Referring to the measures that are discouraging Saudis from visiting Pakistan, Pakistani Ambassador Shahid Karimullah as saying that: "The Saudi government has tightened rules on Saudis intending to visit Pakistan, calling them to produce a NOC from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for obtaining a visa."

"Even if we waive this condition and issue visa to a Saudi national without Ministry of Interior's NOC, then that Saudi visitor faces problems on return from Pakistan," the paper quoted him as saying.

Karimullah further said that he had written to the Pakistani government to find a solution to this problem.

ANI