Promoting tourism, investment: PM orders separate airport immigration counters for foreigners
The directive came as part of a broader push to attract tourists, investors, and international business delegations.
According to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, Sharif instructed authorities to act promptly, stating: 'All international airports must establish separate immigration counters for foreign nationals in order to promote tourism, facilitate trade, and encourage foreign investment.'
The Prime Minister emphasised that the measure would not only streamline processing for foreign travellers but also benefit returning Pakistani citizens by easing overall immigration flow.
'This step reflects our commitment to making Pakistan a welcoming, efficient, and business-friendly destination,' the statement read.
The initial phase of implementation is expected to begin immediately at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports, with plans to expand nationwide, said officials.
They said the new setup is expected to significantly cut processing times and offer a more organised, visitor-friendly arrival experience for foreigners.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
OceanGate's Titan sub firm used ‘intimidation tactics' and had ‘critically flawed' safety practices
The US Coast Guard has released a damning report following the catastrophic implosion of OceanGate's Titan submersible in June 2023, citing 'critically flawed' safety practices 'intimidation tactics' by the firm. The implosion killed all five people on board, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman. The investigation, spanning two years, concludes that OceanGate operated with 'critically flawed' safety and operational practices, repeatedly ignoring established engineering protocols for submersible design, testing and maintenance. The report reveals that the company employed intimidation tactics to evade regulatory oversight and bypass vital inspections - a practice that allowed the Titan to operate outside standard safety regimes for deep-sea vessels. Key Findings Primary cause: Failure to follow fundamental engineering safety standards led to the loss of structural integrity of the Titan's carbon fiber hull, causing an instantaneous implosion under immense water pressure (approximately 4,930 psi) about 90 minutes into a dive near the Titanic wreck. Risky design choices: The Titan was constructed from carbon fiber, a material never before validated for manned deep-sea submersibles due to its susceptibility to delamination and failure under pressure. Ignored warning signs: During a previous dive, passengers reported a loud bang—later identified as hull delamination—yet the company failed to investigate or halt operations adequately. Toxic culture and leadership: CEO Stockton Rush, who also piloted the Titan, downplayed safety concerns and allegedly prioritized customer expectations and financial pressures over safety. The company's culture was described as toxic, with staff discouraged from voicing concerns through firings and intimidation. Regulatory gaps: The report highlights a lack of comprehensive regulation governing commercial submersibles and recommends that the US Coast Guard strengthen oversight, including requiring dive and emergency plans, revoking current designations, and enhancing field support for novel vessels. Accountability and industry impact While the report finds no misconduct by the Coast Guard personnel themselves, it criticizes OceanGate's management, stating Rush exhibited negligence contributing to the deaths and could have faced criminal liability had he survived. Families of victims, including the Dawoods, have urged for meaningful reform, calling the tragedy a 'catastrophic failure' that exposes the urgent need for tighter regulation and industry accountability to prevent future loss of life. The family statement reads: 'No report can alter the heartbreaking outcome, nor fill the immeasurable void left by two cherished members of our family,' it adds. 'We believe that accountability and regulatory change must follow such a catastrophic failure,' it says, adding the family hopes the tragedy will serve as a turning point to bring 'meaningful reform, rigorous safety standards, and effective oversight' to the submersible industry. 'If Shahzada and Suleman's legacy can be a catalyst for regulatory change that helps prevent such a loss from ever happening again, it will bring us some measure of peace.' Implications for commercial deep-sea exploration The disaster and ensuing report cast a shadow over the nascent commercial deep-sea tourism and exploration industry. Investors and stakeholders are likely to demand greater transparency, adherence to rigorous engineering standards, and clear regulatory frameworks before backing similar ventures. The report's 14 recommendations, if implemented, could reshape operational protocols and regulatory oversight, signaling a shift toward enhanced safety in the sector. This tragedy underscores the delicate balance between pioneering adventure and engineering discipline, emphasizing that innovation must be matched with uncompromising safety and oversight.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Direct flights from Quetta approved to facilitate Arbaeen pilgrims: Khawaja Asif
Listen to article The federal government has authorized the Balochistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta to facilitate Shia pilgrims traveling to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told the National Assembly on Tuesday. 'To mitigate these risks, the federal government authorized the Balochistan government to operate direct flights from Quetta,' he said, 'allowing pilgrims to travel safely by air to their destinations'. He informed the House that overland travel along the 800-kilometre route from Quetta had been restricted due to serious security concerns, particularly the threat of terrorist attacks targeting pilgrim convoys. قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کے دوران وفاقی وزیر برائے دفاع خواجہ محمد آصف کا عراق اور ایران جانے والے زائرین کے لئے مہیا کردہ سفری سہولیات کے حوالے سے اظہار خیال #NASession @KhawajaMAsif — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 5, 2025 Asif said one such flight has already been launched and the government is vying for either two flights daily or at least one regular service to meet growing demand. He said arrangements have also been made for onward transportation from airports in Iran and Iraq to the pilgrims' intended sites. The minister added that advertisements were issued over the past four days inviting private airlines to operate on the route, and that all licensed carriers have been granted permission. Chartered flights have also been approved to maximize safe travel capacity. Read: Six MPAs arrested in Punjab as PTI launches 'nationwide' protest 'These measures are aimed at offering maximum facilities while avoiding the security hazards of road travel,' he said, urging potential operators and the market to take full advantage of the permissions granted. He said the matter had also been discussed during the recent visit of the Iranian president to Pakistan, after which Iran had allowed an additional flight to support the movement of Pakistani pilgrims. 'I want to assure the House and the people across Pakistan that the government is fully committed to ensuring safe, comfortable, and timely transportation for all Arbaeen pilgrims,' he added. Resolution on Youm-e-Istehsal The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to mark Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day), condemning India's actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), amid heated protests and sloganeering by opposition members. During the session, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, on a point of order, said, 'today is being observed as Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, but you are observing Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Imran (Imran Exploitation Day).' قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس کے دوران وفاقی وزیر برائے امور کشمیر، گلگت بلتستان اینڈ سٹیٹس اینڈ فرنٹیئر ریجنز انجینیئر امیر مقام نے یوم استحصال کشمیر کے موقع پر اظہار خیال کرتے ہوئے قرارداد یوم استحصال کشمیر پیش کی جو ایوان نے متفقہ طور پر منظور کی#NASession @AmirMuqamAM… — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 5, 2025 He added that the latter 'could have been observed on another day.' Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the opposition had an equal role in upholding the dignity and smooth functioning of the House. The opposition staged a protest over not being allowed to speak. 'The Prime Minister went to the opposition leader's seat and said, 'come, let's talk'." He claimed that under the guise of peaceful protest, armed groups had launched attacks. He questioned whether the Kashmir day or PTI's exploitation narrative was more important, prompting another round of opposition uproar. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq urged calm and requested the House to allow Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam to present a resolution on Kashmir first. Muqam appealed to the opposition to permit passage of the resolution, assuring them they could protest afterward. The opposition paused their protest to allow the resolution. Amir Muqam, presenting the resolution, said India continues to unleash atrocities on the Kashmiri people. 'India unilaterally and illegally abrogated Articles 370 and 35A,' he said, adding that thousands of youth had been martyred, children orphaned, and women widowed. Read more: Six MPAs arrested in Punjab as PTI launches 'nationwide' protest 'Despite these atrocities, the love for Pakistan in the hearts of Kashmiris has not diminished,' he said. The resolution, moved by Muqam, condemned India's actions of August 5, 2019, termed them a violation of the Geneva Conventions, and denounced Indian statements regarding Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. It called for the implementation of UN resolutions and demanded access for UN observers to IIOJK. Later in the session, PTI MNA Aamir Dogar criticized the government, saying, 'You have sentenced our members to ten years each.' He added, 'if everyone is thrown out, what kind of House is this?' and claimed that ten MNAs were 'lifted' from the House without any action from the Speaker. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq responded by asking, 'Did I not issue production orders?' Dogar claimed that Sheikh Waqas Akram's applications had been submitted to the Speaker's office. 'You subjected MNAs to political victimization,' he said. 'The PTI founder is in jail because he refused to bow down. Had he bowed, he would've been in this House,' he said. 'If all of this is to be done, then lock down the House.'
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
UK opens Chevening scholarships to Pakistani students
Applications are now open for Pakistani students aspiring to study in the United Kingdom under the UK Government's Chevening Scholarships for 2025. The fully funded programme offers one-year master's degrees at leading UK universities and is open to mid-career professionals with at least two years of post-graduation work experience. The Chevening scholarship covers tuition fees, airfare, visa costs, and a monthly allowance for living expenses. Scholars will also benefit from academic and professional growth, global networking, and cultural exchange during their stay in the UK. British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said the programme serves as a launchpad for Pakistan's exceptional future leaders. She encouraged those with leadership potential and a drive to make a difference to apply. Applications will remain open from August 5 to October 7, 2025. Eligible candidates must demonstrate real-life examples of leadership, influence, and networking skills. Established in 1983, Chevening has more than 60,000 alumni across 160 countries, including over 2,000 in Pakistan who have gone on to hold leadership roles in various fields. Details and application instructions are available on the official Chevening website.
