Latest news with #SyedNaveedSafdarBokhari
Times of Oman
28-05-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
‘Passports of Pakistanis deported from Oman, GCC to be cancelled'
Muscat: Pakistani expats deported from Oman and other countries will have their passports cancelled on arrival, a senior official of the Pakistan government said. Pakistan's federal government has decided to take stringent measures against its citizens deported from other countries for illegal activities by cancelling their passports and registering criminal charges, in a bid to curb a growing issue that officials say is tarnishing the country's international image. This was announced following a meeting of Pakistan's Ministry of Interior, chaired by federal interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. Confirming this to Times of Oman, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, said, 'It's is a step to check illegal immigration and to ensure that bonafide immigrants and job seekers come to Oman. This will also ensure that if anyone is arrested for violating law in Oman and deported, then that person will not be able to travel abroad again. This measure shows Pakistan's readiness to take tough measures to curb illegal immigration. This measure will help in ensuring that legal ways of promoting employment for Pakistani citizens in Oman are strengthened.' According to the Pakistan government, the names of the deported expats will also be placed on the passport control list for five years, putting restrictions on them to travel abroad. This decision was taken after a large number of people were deported from the Gulf and European countries for illegal stays and working illegally. There are millions of Pakistanis living and working in foreign countries, mainly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Europe, the US, Australia, Malaysia and others. The NCSI in Oman said that there were 318,208 Pakistani expatriates in Oman at the end of April 2025.
Muscat Daily
22-04-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
‘Together in trade and traditions'
'When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway. My goalis to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner,' says H E Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, the new ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, in an exclusive interview with Anirban Ray. Excerpts: What is your immediate focus as the ambassador of Pakistan to Oman? Oman and its people have been incredibly welcoming. Since arriving here, I have experienced an outpouring of love and affection. It has been a wonderful experience and, more importantly, a valuable opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Pakistan-Oman relations. For Pakistan, Oman holds significant importance – not just as a key country in the region, but also as our only maritime neighbour. This gives our relationship a distinct and strategic dimension. When we head towards the sea, the first country we come across is Oman. So, Oman is uniquely placed as our maritime gateway. To describe the goal of my mission here in one phrase: it is to advance Pakistan-Oman relations in a comprehensive manner. I'm pleased to share that in the short span of three months since my arrival, we've already witnessed a number of official visits between Pakistan and Oman. In March, we hosted a very successful visit from Pakistan's Commerce Minister, who spent four to five days in Oman. During his stay, he held several important meetings – not just with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion – but also with other Omani ministers. The visit included a trip to Sohar Port, and featured a B2B exchange session between the Pakistani business delegation and Omani entrepreneurs. It was an extremely fruitful visit. Could you share some of your main achievements, so far? In the defense sector, we've also had significant engagements. Pakistan's Chief of Air Staff visited Oman, and our naval ships, which regularly dock at Omani ports, have made two visits already, with another one scheduled soon. Beyond that, we've hosted delegations from the health sector and the education sector of Pakistan along with several business delegations – more visits are planned in the coming months. Overall, a very healthy momentum has developed in bilateral engagements. From the Omani side as well, there have been important visits. Notably, the Chief of Omani Royal Navy and other senior officials have visited Pakistan. At present, senior officials from Oman's Anti-Narcotics Bureau are in Pakistan participating in a major conference. Above all, I must highlight a key moment that set the tone for this growing relationship – the Prime Minister of Pakistan had a very warm and productive Eid telephone call with His Majesty, the Sultan of Oman. That conversation has played a pivotal role in generating strong momentum for deeper bilateral cooperation. How many visas were issued to Omanis to travel to Pakistan last year? What were the main purposes? Pakistan and Oman share a rich and deeply rooted history. Our two nations are connected not only by geography and culture, but also by a significant shared demography. In fact, around 30 per cent of Oman's population traces its ancestry back to Balochistan in Pakistan, creating strong familial and ancestral ties between our peoples. From January 1 to December 31, 2024, the Pakistan Embassy issued approximately 5,000 visas to Omani residents. A large proportion of these – especially those issued to the Baloch community – were family visit visas. In addition to family visas, we also issued medical visas, providing access to treatment for those in need, as well as visas for official delegations, tourists and business travelers, further strengthening our bilateral cooperation on multiple fronts. Any new plans in the pipeline for 2025? My current focus is to ensure that the Pakistan Social Club becomes active this year. We already have an interim committee in place and are hopeful that within this year, the Pakistan Social Club will resume its activities. This revival will be a significant boost to our ongoing efforts to promote Pakistani culture in Oman. Such cultural events/performances not only entertain our community but also serve as a bridge to present Pakistan's culture and rich heritage to the Omani people. Any initiatives for Pakistan School Muscat? People often say that Pakistan School Muscat (PSM) is a true asset for our community, and I'm very pleased to share that this year marks its 50th anniversary – a golden year in its journey. Over the decades, PSM has grown into a massive educational setup and a significant institution in Oman. Currently, more than 8,000 students are enrolled across its campuses, and what makes it even more special is that it enjoys a multinational enrollment, reflecting its broad appeal and inclusive environment. Due to overwhelming demand, the school is compelled to run evening classes while we are also in the process of building a new international school in Mabela. Another key initiative I've taken, in collaboration with the school board, is to launch the Pakistan School Muscat Alumni Association. Over the past many decades, thousands of students have graduated from PSM and are successful professionals – they are a valuable asset. What are significant trade exchanges between the two countries? Oman is an important trade partner for Pakistan, and I'm pleased to share that our bilateral trade crossed the US$1bn mark for the first-time last year. This is a significant milestone in our economic relationship. Currently, Oman enjoys trade surplus with Pakistan, primarily because we import oil and oil-related products from Oman. These imports form a major part of the trade volume. However, Pakistan is also making strong contributions to this relationship by exporting over US$200mn worth of goods to Oman. Our main exports include rice, meat, vegetables, fruits, maize, and corn—items that are part of Pakistan's agricultural strength and are highly valued in the Omani market. In addition to these traditional products, one noteworthy development is the growing export of minerals from Pakistan to Oman. In March, a successful business delegation from Pakistan visited Oman. This visit featured productive B2B sessions with Omani counterparts. Building on that momentum, we are now planning another business delegation visit in May. How good are the cultural relationships between the two countries? Pakistan and Oman share a deep cultural bond, rooted in a common civilisational heritage. This shared history creates a strong foundation for cultural exchanges, which are an important aspect of our bilateral relationship. I am personally committed to promoting and strengthening these exchanges to further deepen the understanding between our peoples. We hope to welcome cultural troupes from Oman in Pakistan to showcase Omani culture and vice versa. In addition to culture, sports exchanges are another promising area of growing cooperation. Just a few days ago, the Omani National Hockey Team visited Pakistan and participated in a full match series. This was a major development and played a significant role in the revival of international hockey in Pakistan. Cricket, which is a passion in Pakistan, also presents great opportunities for engagement. Given the large South Asian diaspora in Oman, there is already a vibrant environment here that supports and encourages cricket. This makes it a natural area of collaboration between the two countries. There is also scope for cooperation in traditional sports like tent pegging, and other adventure sports which can promote tourism on both sides. Photos by VK Shafeer
Times of Oman
24-03-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Pakistan School Muscat hosts recitation of Holy Quran contest
Muscat: Pakistan School Muscat hosted the 2nd International Hifz-ul-Quran competition, celebrating the memorisation and recitation of the Holy Quran. The event attracted participants from various international schools in Oman, underscoring PSM's dedication to promoting Islamic values and cultural exchange. Sheikh Faisal Al Rawas, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry was present on the occasion. Ambassadors from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Sudan, and other countries also attended the event. Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, commended the participants for their dedication to the Holy Quran and praised PSM for organising such an event. Participants competed in various categories, showcasing exceptional memorisation and recitation skills. Winners were awarded cash prizes and Umrah packages, while all participants received recognition for their efforts. Chairman Board of Directors Pakistan schools Oman, Ameer Hamza expressed pride in hosting the competition and extended gratitude to the management, board members, and organisers for their dedication to making the event a success.
Observer
01-03-2025
- General
- Observer
Ramadhan Food Bags Initiative brings hope across Oman
MUSCAT: The Ramadhan Food Bags Initiative, led by Syed Shaandar Ali Shah Bukhari, continues a legacy of welfare and community service started by his late father in the 1970s. Since 2019, this initiative has focused on Ramadhan charity, and this year, Bukhari and his dedicated team are distributing essential food bags to 200 families, benefiting nearly 1,000 individuals. Each bag provides sustenance for five people, ensuring support reaches communities across Oman, regardless of race or background. The initiative was formally inaugurated by Dr Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, Ambassador of Pakistan, alongside Sheikh Syed Fayyaz Ali Shah, Sheikh of the Pakistani community. Both dignitaries extended their best wishes, commending the donors and volunteers who made this endeavor possible. This year's initiative is supported by Mohammed Ali Fazal and Hafiz Mohammed Ibrahim, who managed funds and procurement. The dedicated volunteer team handling the distribution includes Sameer Talib, Imran Siddiqui, Atif Ali, Mohammed Usman, Yousuf Khan, Bilal Yousuf, Shams, Mohammed Ali, Hasnain, Mustaqeem, and Shehzad Hassan. The Salalah region is overseen by veteran philanthropist Hashim Ali Khan, while the Buraimi region is managed by Shah Mohammed Shirani. Through the collective efforts of these individuals, the Ramadhan Food Bags Initiative continues to be a beacon of generosity, ensuring that families in need experience the joy and blessings of this sacred month.
Times of Oman
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Pakistani Ambassador to Oman clarifies on issuance of new visa
Muscat: The Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, Syed Naveed Safdar Bokhari, said that the Sultanate of Oman has tightened the issuance of new visas across all categories for Pakistani nationals. Speaking on the visa issue, the ambassador admitted that they are working on this issue. 'Hopefully we will reach a solution soon,' the ambassador said. He also said the Pakistani expats coming to Oman should always work on the right visas. 'Many a time these visas are misused,' he said, adding that there is nothing called Azad visas. 'Don't come on azad visas. There is nothing like this. People should come and work for the right sponsors. The embassy is always there to help you,' he said. He also said that disputes can be solved in Oman courts if there is any disagreement between sponsors and workers. 'Before coming to Oman, please be aware of the laws,' he said. Ex-chairman of Pakistan Social Club, A H Raja, said a lot of the people come to Oman in visit visas. "People coming to visit visas should not work and they should go back once their visas are expired,' he said.
