ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry has announced offering visa on arrival to tourists from 24 countries, including the United States and UK, reversing yet another decision taken by former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Other countries on the list include Canada, China, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Iceland, Korea, Portugal, Singapore, Thailand, and Luxemburg.

However, India, Iran, Russia, Arab and African countries are not on the list.

According to the immigration wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), multiple entry tourist visas valid for 30 days will be issued to tourists from these countries, if the tour is organised through designated tour operators.

They have been asked to talk to one of the immigration officers or the designated visa officer on arrival for additional information and list of tour operators.

Tourist groups will be required to submit an undertaking to the immigration authorities along with some other documents.

An official said tourists to Pakistan were an asset for the country. He added that the immigration authorities were committed to facilitating them and making their arrival and departure hassle-free.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2018