Latest news with #PakistanEmbassy
Arab News
20-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan eases visa rules for Afghan transporters, drivers to improve trade amid deportation drive
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will issue multiple-entry visas valid for one year to Afghan drivers and transporters to facilitate cross-border trade, its embassy in Kabul announced on Friday, amid an ongoing campaign to deport undocumented Afghan nationals. Afghan drivers play a vital role in bilateral and transit trade between the two countries. Under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), Afghan transporters are allowed to move goods between Pakistani ports and their countries major cities like Kandahar, Jalalabad and Kabul. The Pakistan government's decision to issue visas comes at a time when the government has repatriated 979,486 Afghan nationals since launching a deportation drive in 2023 over security concerns. 'The Government of Pakistan has decided to issue multiple-entry visas of one-year validity to Afghan drivers and transporters,' the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul said in a post on X. 'The visa fee for this category would be $100.' Government of Pakistan has decided to issue multiple-entry visas of one-year validity to Afghan drivers and transporters. The visa fee for this category would be USD 100. Please apply for Work (Transit/Transport) visa at * Applicants are required to… — Pakistan Embassy Afghanistan (@PakinAfg) June 20, 2025 The new visa policy is likely to benefit ongoing trade flows, especially as Pakistan remains a primary corridor for Afghanistan's access to international markets. Afghan trucks are permitted to transport goods under the APTTA framework, including third-country imports destined for Afghanistan. Applicants for the new visa will be required to upload a photograph, a scanned copy of their passport, Afghanistan's national identity document, a valid temporary admission document, an employment letter from a registered transport company or an authority letter from a transport operator and a valid driving license. Pakistan's deportation policy in 2023 followed a spike in militant attacks, particularly in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. Islamabad has previously linked such attacks and other crimes to Afghan nationals, who make up the largest migrant population in the country, though Kabul has denied any nexus between the two. Despite tensions, both countries have recently taken steps to restore diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level.
Arab News
18-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
PIA repatriates 107 Pakistanis stranded in Iran as regional tensions ground flights
KARACHI: A special PIA flight carrying 107 Pakistanis who had been stranded in Iran landed in Islamabad early Tuesday, the national carrier said, after regional airspace disruptions forced days-long travel delays and overland detours. Flight PK-9552, arranged under government instructions, departed from the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat and arrived at Islamabad International Airport at 3am, PIA said in a statement. The passengers had crossed into Turkmenistan by road after being unable to depart directly from Iran due to ongoing airspace restrictions following the start of a war between longtime Middle Eastern enemies Israel and Iran since Friday. The two rivals launched new missile strikes at each other on Wednesday as the air war between them entered a sixth day despite a call from US President Donald Trump for Tehran's unconditional surrender. 'Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, Pakistani nationals in Iran had to reach Turkmenistan through ground routes,' PIA said, adding that the repatriation was coordinated by Pakistan's embassies in Tehran and Ashgabat. 'Our missions in Iran and Turkmenistan played a key role in facilitating this process,' PIA added. Passengers stranded in Iran were mostly short-term visitors, religious pilgrims and workers caught in the fallout of recent regional hostilities. Iranian airspace was shut to commercial traffic last week amid rising military tensions, following Israeli airstrikes on Iran and heightened fears of a wider conflict. Several international carriers, including PIA, suspended or rerouted flights passing through Iranian airspace. Pakistani citizens thus found themselves unable to return home through normal flight routes. A PIA spokesperson said the national carrier took action 'in continuation of its decades-long tradition of serving national interest in difficult times.' While no official figures have been released on how many Pakistanis remain in Iran, foreign ministry officials have confirmed that further evacuations could be arranged if the situation worsens. The foreign ministry has also said diplomatic missions were 'in close contact with local authorities' to ensure the safety of all nationals.
Arab News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan evacuates diplomats' families, non-essential staff from Iran as Israel conflict worsens
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started evacuating families of its diplomats and staff, as well as members of some non-essential staff from Iran, a senior foreign ministry official confirmed on Tuesday as Tehran's military conflict with Israel intensifies. Thousands of residents of Iran's capital Tehran are reportedly fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies out of fear that Israel will intensify its strikes against regional foe Iran in the coming days. Iran and Israel have been locked in military conflict since Friday when the latter attacked the former's nuclear facilities and military leadership in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Israel's strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran while Tehran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded. 'The foreign ministry is moving out families of diplomats and staff and some non-essential staff from Iran,' the official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media, said in a statement. 'However Pakistan embassy in Tehran and our consulates will continue to remain functional.' Pakistan has been repatriating hundreds of its citizens from Iran and Iraq since the conflict began last week. Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites there. Many were left stranded since Friday as airspaces closed following Israel's attacks. Pakistan repatriated 268 nationals from Iraq via two flights on Monday while on Sunday, it evacuated 450 nationals from Iran. Pakistan has condemned Israel's strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue.
Arab News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan repatriates 268 nationals from Iraq amid ongoing Iran-Israel conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office said it repatriated 268 nationals from Iraq on Monday, as the Iran-Israel military confrontation enters its fourth day with no signs of either side letting up amid fears of a wider war breaking out in the region. Thousands of Pakistani zaireen (pilgrims) travel annually to Iran and Iraq to visit holy sites there. Many have been stranded since Friday when Israel launched a massive wave of attacks targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities but also hitting residential areas, sparking retaliation and fears of a broader regional conflict. Pakistan last week advised its nationals to avoid traveling to Iran and Iraq amid surging tensions. Pakistan said it facilitated the evacuation of 450 nationals from Iran on Sunday. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Iraqi Airways, successfully facilitated the repatriation of 268 Pakistani nationals earlier today through two special flights from Basra to Karachi and Islamabad," the foreign office said. "Both flights have safely reached Pakistan." The foreign ministry said it remains engaged with Iraqi Airways and other Iraqi authorities to ensure the safe and timely return of the remaining Pakistani pilgrims in the country. It advised Pakistani pilgrims in Iraq to remain in contact with the Pakistan Embassy in Baghdad and respective airlines for timely updates regarding their travel arrangements. "All zaireen are further advised to remain prepared for travel at short notice," the ministry said. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely and remains fully committed to facilitating the safe and orderly return of all Pakistani zaireen." Pakistan has condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them an unjustified violation of Iranian sovereignty, and has urged the international community to help de-escalate tensions through dialogue. Iran has said over 200 people have been killed in Israel's onslaught since Friday, while Israel says Iranian strikes have killed at least 18 people.
Arab News
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani superstars Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed honored in UAE amid ‘Love Guru' promotions
KARACHI: Pakistani superstar actors Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed, currently in the UAE to promote their upcoming romantic comedy 'Love Guru,' were honored at a special ceremony by Pakistani Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, the envoy's office said on Tuesday. Khan and Saeed have recently toured the US, UK and Canada for red carpet events, fan meet-and-greets and exclusive press interviews to promote Love Guru, which will hit cinemas during the Eid Al-Adha holiday next month. 'During the ceremony, Ambassador Tirmizi presented commemorative shields to the artists, celebrating their dedication and achievements,' the Pakistan Embassy in the UAE said in a statement. 'In his remarks, the ambassador highlighted Pakistan's rich cultural and artistic diversity, underscoring the vital role of the creative industry as a form of soft power in shaping global perception of Pakistan.' Love Guru made history last week when its trailer was showcased at New York City's Times Square, the first time a Pakistani film has ever been featured on the landmark's giant digital screens. The trailer launch attracted a crowd of onlookers, fans, and members of the South Asian diaspora who gathered to watch the film's stars unveil the preview in person. In the upcoming film, Saeed plays the character of a flirt pretending to be a relationship expert who is striving to win over Khan, who is playing an architect.
