Govt plans to devise first emigration policy: ministry

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The government will introduce first-ever national emigration policy to devise comprehensive strategies to regulate welfare process of intending emigrants, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development said on Sunday.

According to the officials of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the draft of policy had been shared with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and other concerned departments both at federal and provincial levels, Radio Pakistan reported.

After getting the feedback from all the stakeholders, final draft of the policy will be placed before the federal cabinet within three months once its modalities get finalised.

Under the plan, the ministry will develop a national level database of trained workforce which would inform the National Vocational and Technical Commission, Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority and Overseas Employment Corporation about the current employment opportunities available in the various countries.

On March 14, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry had said Prime Minister Imran Khan will announce a new visa policy for 190 countries to promote tourism and investments in the country.

Talking to the media along with Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Media Iftikhar Durrani in Islamabad, he had said initially e-visa facility will be given to five countries, which include Turkey, China, Malaysia, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates.

Later on, he had added, it will be extended to 170 countries. He said 90 countries will be offered business visa, while 55 states will be granted visa on arrival.