The Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, on Wednesday, revealed that Pakistan is launching the e-passport service from 1 May 2021, adding that a Border Management Wing has been set up at the Ministry of Interior to curb human smuggling and illegal transportation of products.
ALSO READ
NADRA Has Digitized Over 280,000 Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme Forms
The Interior Minister made this revelation in a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Dr. Geoffrey Shaw, which was attended by high officials of the Ministry of Interior and the Australian High Commission.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations were discussed along with measures necessary to improve the border management and steps that must be taken for capacity building of law enforcement agencies.
ALSO READ
Electric Vehicle Policy Still Hasn’t Been Signed Into Law Causing Problems for Importers
The minister said that on 1 January, the e-visa service was launched and citizens of 191 countries can avail of this service. In this regard, the highest number of applications are being received from Afghanistan.
The Australian HC emphasized the need to increase cooperation between Pakistan and Australia to keep track of international crimes and improve border management.
He tweeted:
Great to meet Interior Minister @ShkhRasheed. We had a fruitful discussion on developments in Pakistan’s border management system, Australia-Pakistan cooperation on transnational crimes, counter-terrorist financing and our shared interests in coastal maritime security. https://t.co/JoU0MvGhUN
— Neil Hawkins (@AusHCPak) January 21, 2021
He also lauded Pakistan for its fruitful efforts in controlling the spread of coronavirus.
