Category: 1. Pakistan

Government will establish separate immigration counters for foreign passengers at all international airports, a government statement said on Saturday, in a move aimed at boosting tourism and investment.

The initiative, introduced on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is designed to promote tourism, ensure the smooth flow of trade, and facilitate foreign investment.

Officials said the dedicated counters will help reduce immigration processing times, making travel more convenient for international visitors. The arrangement is also expected to shorten procedures for returning Pakistani citizens, as passenger flows will be separated.

“This measure is part of the government’s broader strategy to make Pakistan more attractive and welcoming for international tourists, investors and business delegations,” an official statement said.

The government has recently stepped up efforts to enhance infrastructure and streamline travel procedures to position Pakistan as a more competitive destination in the region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the establishment of separate immigration counters at all international airports to facilitate foreign passengers and boost tourism and investment.

A press release from the Prime Minister’s Office said the decision was taken to “promote tourism in the country, ensure continuity of business activities and facilitate foreign investment”.

It added that the establishment of the counters would reduce the immigration processing time at the airports.

The statement also said that Pakistanis returning to the country would be able to complete their immigration process in a shorter time after the establishment of separate and designated counters for foreigners.

“The initiative is part of a strategy to make Pakistan more attractive and friendly for global tourists, investors, and business delegations,” the PMO said.

In February, Pakistan won the Best Partner Pavilion Award at the New York Travel and Adventure Show 2025. The two-day event is the largest US travel show organised annually for travel enthusiasts from across the world.

In January, Gilgit-Baltistan was included in CNN’s list of top 25 destinations to visit in 2025.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 2nd Aug, 2025) A meticulously crafted replica of the revered Fasting Buddha, an iconic Gandhara-era masterpiece dating back to the 2nd century, was formally handed over to Bai Dinh Pagoda, Vietnam’s largest Buddhist temple.

The gift was given by Ambassador of Pakistan Kohdayar Marri in a landmark event symbolizing cultural and spiritual solidarity between Pakistan and Vietnam, Foreign Office Spokesperson, on Saturday, said in a press release.

Ambassador Kohdayar Marri, during the ceremony, emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to preserving Buddhist heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue.

“This gift reflects Pakistan’s rich heritage, respect for all faiths and our shared vision of peace. Tolerance and respect is the essence of islam, and such exchanges reinforce diplomacy and harmony,” he said.

The original Fasting Siddhartha statue, discovered in Sikri, Pakistan and housed in Lahore Museum, depicts Prince Siddhartha’s profound austerity in pursuit of enlightenment.

“The replica, gifted by the Government of Pakistan, embodies values of discipline, resilience, and interfaith harmony,” it was added.

The event commenced with sacred prayers led by the Secretary General of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, Most Venerable Thich Duc Thien, who blessed the statue at the Pakistani Embassy before its journey to Ninh Binh.

At Bai Dinh Pagoda, the statue was received by Most Venerable Thich Minh Quang in a traditional Buddhist ritual, attended by senior Vietnamese officials, religious leaders, and dignitaries.

Venerable Thich Minh Quang hailed the gesture as a beacon of inter-religious goodwill, promoting mutual understanding between Pakistan and Vietnam.

The ceremony concluded with prayers for enduring friendship between the two nations.

 BEIJING:

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal met Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on Saturday to discuss the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to an official release.

Both officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with a particular focus on industrial development and business-to-business cooperation under CPEC Phase II. Iqbal conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s goodwill message to Beijing and praised China’s support during recent regional tensions.

Read: Pakistan, China gear up for JCC talks

“The people of Pakistan take pride in the everlasting friendship with the leadership and people of China,” he said, noting that China’s development model serves as an inspiration for Pakistan’s move toward an export-oriented, technology-driven economy.

He highlighted that Pakistan’s URAAN initiative, built around a Five Es framework, aligns fully with CPEC Phase II objectives to secure economic, social and institutional stability through people-centric reforms.

Iqbal stressed that developing a skilled, educated workforce and deepening B2B collaboration will be key pillars of the next CPEC phase. Weidong reiterated China’s strong commitment to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and praised Iqbal’s leadership role in turning CPEC from a blueprint into a multibillion-dollar reality.

Sons of former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party (PTI) founder
Imran Khan slammed the ruling Pakistani regime and pinned their hopes on US President Donald Trump for the release of their father. On Friday, Sulaiman and Kasim Khan said that Trump is one person who could “make a difference” to their incarcerated father’s situation.

The remarks from the sons came during their interview with British journalist Piers Morgan. The sons of the former cricketing legend called for attention to their father’s incarceration for the first time publicly in May. The remarks from Kasim and Sulaiman came after their aunt Aleema Khan revealed that the two applied for visas to visit Pakistan.

In a post on X, she wrote: “The ambassador has intimated that he is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad.” When Morgan asked Kasim whether he had any message for Trump, Imran Khan’s son said: “If anyone can make a difference, he (Trump) can.”

A few days ago Suleiman and Kasim applied for their visas with the Pakistan high commission in London. The ambassador has intimated that he is awaiting approval from the ministry of interior in Islamabad.

— Aleema Khanum (@Aleema_KhanPK) August 1, 2025

“We know that Trump has a great relationship with our father and vice versa. They had great conversations when they were both in office, and they seem to have mutual respect for one another,” Kasim told Morgan.

“If Trump was able to make a statement or in any way speak to the establishment over there [in Pakistan] to get our father released, I know he’s one of the few people who can, so of course we would love to kind of have a conversation with him or hope for some help from him or support.”

“When we floated the idea of going, we were told by people in the Pakistani government that we would be arrested and from other people, we heard, you know, we had warnings from family members, inside sources, all sorts of people saying similar [things],” he added.

During the interview, both sons also mentioned how they were struggling to get a visa to go and see their father. “So we’ve still tried to get our visas. We are still looking to go at some point. We’ve applied for our visas, but we haven’t had our responses yet. We’ll see what happens,” Kasim said. They also pointed out how they have been facing threats of arrest if they arrive in Pakistan.