PM unveils visa policy aligned with SIFC initiative

PM Kakar asks terrorists to make ‘unconditional surrender’

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Monday warned terrorist groups in the country to make an “unconditional surrender”, saying the state would not negotiate with them.

“The state will not show any leniency towards terrorists who committed violence and killed innocent citizens,” he said in an interaction with the families of martyrs at the Interior Ministry, where he earlier launched the country’s new visa policy.

The prime minister congratulated the Ministry of Interior on the achievement of a “good milestone”.

The prime minister was briefed that the new visa policy includes the introduction of investor visas and the revision of the existing business visa category.

The investor visa has been introduced in line with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) initiative. The hassle-free process allows visa approval within 24 hours with a short-term (1-3 years) and long-term entry visa (five years).

The process requires minimal documentation with the option of converting the entry business and investor visa into a long-term investor visa.

The prime minister was informed that the business visa category was revised with the introduction of SIFC Business Entry and its extension. The business visa will be issued in 24 hours for a six-month short-term entry visa and a five-year long-term visa.

The National and Database Registration Authority (NADRA) is managing the visa process and has also deployed its staff at the SIFC.

The prime minister categorically said that no person would be allowed to take law into his own hands, adding that only the state had the legitimate right to use armed power through its security forces.

“No one should have any doubt about the stance of the state against terrorists,” he said. “All organs of the state have the clarity to remain persistent against militancy.”

He said any damage incurred in the past by giving a lenient space to the militants would be mitigated.
The prime minister said if someone wanted to denounce terrorism he must seek forgiveness from the families of the martyrs, who had paid the ultimate price.

“We cannot compensate those who lost their loved ones, but can make a gesture to acknowledge and honour their invaluable sacrifices,” he added.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, while addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the 39th batch of police constables at the Police Lines Islamabad, on Monday said regretted that some people sitting in the assemblies and media persons were becoming the voice of anti-national elements under an organised conspiracy, who were being monitored closely.

“No force can stop us from succeeding in the war against terrorism,” the minister said, adding that when the institutions became apolitical, they became stronger.