Kuwait lifts visa ban for Pakistanis after 10 years

After 10 years’ suspension, Kuwait on Sunday announced an "immediate" resumption of various visas including in family and business categories for Pakistani citizens.

Kuwait had banned work visas for Pakistan in 2011 and regardless of attempts by previous governments the restrictions couldn't be lifted. In March 2017, the then government had also announced the lifting of the ban by Western Asia country during the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the oil-rich country. However, the decision was never applied.

Today’s development came after a meeting between Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah. Kuwaiti Interior Minister Thamer Ali Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait Syed Sajjad Haider were also current during the meeting.

Issues of mutual interest, including Pakistan-Kuwait bilateral relations, got here under discussion during the meeting. The interior minister raised the visa problem with the Kuwaiti prime minister, suspended for Pakistani citizens since 2011.