Pakistan will facilitate Omani nationals in getting business, tourist visas, says Interior Minister
Pakistan and Oman are considering to kickstart a ferry service between the two countries as the two sides seek opportunities to promote trade and tourism.
The option was discussed when Oman’s Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Ahmed Al-Marhoon met Interior Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, according to a press release issued by the Interior Ministry.
Omar Ahmed Al-Marhoon discussed with Sheikh Rashid the start of a ferry service
“Ferry service between Pakistan and Oman will start soon,” the Pakistani interior ministry quoted Ambassador Al-Marhoon as saying. “The service will boost trade and tourism between Pakistan and Oman.”
The ferry service will also prove helpful for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan added the Ambassador of Oman.
Pakistan has long been considering initiating a ferry service that would connect Pakistani ports with Middle Eastern seaports. The country also wants the service to link Karachi and Gawadar seaports with Dubai, Oman, and Iran to provide an alternate route to people who wish to travel to these destinations. Pakistan has also been encouraging private sector investors to invest in this mode of transportation.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid assured the Ambassador of Oman that Pakistan will provide all possible facilities to citizens of Oman residing in Pakistan.
“We will provide all possible facilities in visa for trade and tourism to the citizens of Oman in Pakistan,” the interior ministry quoted Ahmed as saying in the statement.
Pakistan and Oman have deep brotherly relations, with thousands of Pakistanis playing a major role in the economic development of Oman.
During the Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held last year, the two countries had discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, and agreed to “qualitatively enhance relations in diverse fields, with particular emphasis on the economic dimensions.”