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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has said the government has approved a new visa policy for Chinese nationals working on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong here Thursday, the interior minister said the minimum period of new visas for Chinese nationals has been set at two years under the new policy.
The minister and the Chinese Ambassador discussed issues of mutual interest including Pakistan-China bilateral relations, CPEC projects, bilateral cooperation agreements and visa facilitation for Chinese citizens.
The interior minister expressed pleasure over the completion of 70 years of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China. On the occasion, the minister said that the government has approved the new visa policy for Chinese citizens.
Sheikh Rasheed said that Chinese nationals would now be issued two-year work visas within 48 hours from the respective missions, adding that a separate visa category has been created for Chinese citizens related to CPEC projects. Special desks are also being set up at airports to facilitate Chinese citizens.
The Chinese Ambassador said that he was grateful to the government of Pakistan for easing visa facilities for Chinese nationals, which would further enhance the relationship between the two countries, increase investment in CPEC related projects and create new job opportunities.
The Interior Minister thanked the Chinese government for providing the coronavirus vaccine to Pakistan. He said arrangements should be made for return of Pakistani students to China for study as they are facing risk of wasting precious academic year.
The ambassador commended the arrangements made by Pakistan to control the pandemic. He said that every possible effort would be made for the return of Pakistani students as soon as possible. He said that CPEC related projects were evidence of the strong and old relationships between both the countries and China is proud of its bilateral relations.
