SIALKOT, Nov 13 President Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Mohammad Ishaq Butt has said that local businessmen are facing enormous problems in getting visas for European countries especially Britain and Germany.

Talking to the newsmen at the SCCI here on Friday, he said that foreign buyers and investors were reluctant to visit Pakistan due to security issues. Resultantly, local businessmen will have to visit their buyers for securing export orders.

Foreign embassies in Pakistan have adopted strict criterion for processing visa applications and valid passports of businessmen are being withheld for longer period for issuance of visas.

He said due to this inordinate delay in issuance of visas the schedule of their meetings with foreign customers was affecting adversely. “This whole scenario is badly affecting exports from Sialkot,” he added.

He said British and German embassies were refusing visas to even those businessmen who were regular visitors due to which the matter was getting more complicated.

He requested ministries of commerce and foreign affairs to intervene and resolve the matter through consultation and negotiation with the concerned embassies.

CARGO FLIGHT

Meanwhile, PIA Managing Director Capt (Retd) Ejaz Haroon has announced that the airline would soon start direct passenger and cargo flights to European destinations from Sialkot International Airport.