Easing visa and travel rules

Pakistan has recently crafted measures to attract tourist groups from 24 countries, including China, the United Kingdom and the United States, that have been deemed eligible for such travel facilities. By offering a visa-on arrival option, the country has sent out a strong signal that it is prepared to treat tourist groups from those countries in particular as well as others as assets. This designation of course comes with a few, well laid-out conditions. One of these conditions requires that a tour is organised through a local tour operator. Tourists are liable to receive a 30-day visa and can be permitted multiple entries. Previously, tourists or tour groups required an invitation letter either from a Pakistani national/resident for a visit visa and from a travel agency/tour operator for a tourist visa. In the absence of a Pakistani friend, tourists would have to rely on travel agencies to issue such a letter upon payment of a $60 fee or more — in addition to the visa-processing fee charged by the country’s diplomatic mission.

Though it is an improvement on the earlier policy, it is far from being a liberal visa regime. Tourists are still more or less beholden to designated tour operators who will continue to handle the registration of trips. The overall effectiveness of the policy is somewhat compromised not only because tour itineraries are controlled by travel agents but also because they run higher costs for tourists. Another deterrent for some tourists, especially those on a world tour, has been the tough Pakistani condition of not applying from a third country. Such a policy has been discouraging potential tourists and driving them in the direction of more tourist-friendly countries in the world.

We must adjust our policies around our swelling need for greater tourism receipts. A centralised online-visa approval system would help but more robust measures need to be introduced to reinforce a softer image of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2018.

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