Saudi Arabia to relax visa, reduce fees for Pakistanis

Lahore : The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has agreed to relax visa and reduce visa fees for Pakistanis, moreover, for export of Pakistani manpower, it agreed to set up a training institute in Pakistan to help meet its human resource requirements.

A 35-member Saudi delegation led by minister of commerce and investment Dr Majed Abdullah Al-Qasabi discussed it with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Wednesday during a call on, PM office media wing, in a press release, said.

Dr Al-Qasabi is leading a delegation to participate in the 11th Session of Pak-Saudi Joint Ministerial Commission.

The prime minister welcomed the holding of 11th session of Pak-Saudi Joint Ministerial Commission, which is expected to enhance and strengthen bilateral economic relations.

He said the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were important for the government of Pakistan as the people of Pakistan had a special affection for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Khadim-e-al-Harmain Al-Sharifain.

The substantive decisions taken during the meeting of the Pak-Saudi JMC were also discussed with the prime minister which included establishment of a Working Group for export of Halal food from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia; Saudi investment in the construction of the South-North Gas Pipeline, accelerated negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty and exchange of parliamentary delegations.

A delegation from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development would be received in Saudi Arabia early next week, besides the executive director of NAVTTC has been invited to visit Saudi Arabia.

Dr Al-Qasabi also emphasized the importance attached by Saudi Arabia to the special relationship with Pakistan.