Family station status restoration by UN sign of trust’

Shah Mehmood Qureshi says govt liberalized its visa regime to attract foreign investment

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday said the United Nations' decision to restore Islamabad's status as a family station for its staffers is reflective of Pakistan's improved law and order situation, for which the country's security agencies and Foreign Ministry deserves appreciation.

"This is an international vote of confidence for Pakistan. I congratulate our security agencies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose efforts at their ends resulted in a big step by the UN," the foreign minister told reporters, following the UN's decision.
The UN downgraded Pakistan’s status after 2008 Marriott Hotel blast in Islamabad.

Qureshi said Pakistan wants to promote investment, trade and tourism with other countries, adding that new UN assessment would revive the confidence of international community in Pakistan.

“The government has liberalised its visa regime which would attract foreign investment and promote economic activity in the country,” he said.

The UN’s International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) on Thursday announced that it would restore Islamabad's status as a family station, allowing UN personnel to travel with their families to Pakistan.

The ICSC Chairperson Larbi Djacta in a letter from his office notified the development, stating that "I, under the delegated authority of the commission, discontinued the non-family status of the duty station Islamabad, Pakistan effective 14 June 2019."

Soon after, Qureshi welcomed the decision in a statement on Twitter the same day. "Good news! Based on comprehensive security review, UN restores Islamabad's status as family station for its international staff. I warmly welcome the decision," he wrote.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP