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Pakistan is starting to open up to tourism
It may not be on many people’s travel list for this year but Pakistan is making changes to make it more attractive to tourists.
The Karakoram highway in Pakistan. Photo by travelview/Shutterstock
Earlier this month, the country announced a new, more relaxed visa policy to make it easier for travellers to visit. They have created a new visa system and online portal so potential visitors can find all the information they need in one place.
To start with, five countries are now eligible for an online visa; UK, Malaysia, China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Visitors from 50 nationalities are also eligible to get their visa immediately on arrival. The policy is planned to expand in the future but until then, other countries will have to continue on the old system of applying for a visa prior to travel and waiting 7-10 days.
Lahore Grand Mosque. Photo by Nadeem Wajahat/500px
Pakistan has also abolished most restrictions of movement within the country. Until this week, tourists had to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to visit some areas. These have mainly been scrapped, opening up many parts of Kashmir, Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to overseas visitors.
There are still restrictions in six areas. Tourists are still unable to travel within 10 miles of the borders with China and Afghanistan and within five miles of the military control lines in Siachen, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
View image on Twitter
Ch Fawad Hussain
✔@fawadchaudhry
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1110411617659965440
Another landmark acheived NOC regime for foreigners come to an end, @ImranKhanPTI vision is to make Pak a heaven for tourists and following new Visa regime this important policy decision of ending NOC requirements is a leap forward #DiscoverPakistan
4,656
1:22 AM - Mar 26, 2019
1,107 people are talking about this
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Fawad Hussain Chaudhry tweeted the update, saying the plan was a leap forward to turn Pakistan into a “a heaven for tourists”. The country also already has its fans among the more adventurous travellers. In 2018 the British Backpacking Society voted the country the top destination for backpackers, saying it is “home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people, and offers some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery.”
Currently the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office have travel warnings against many regions in the country and should be carefully reviewed before planning any trip.
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PakistanVisas
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It may not be on many people’s travel list for this year but Pakistan is making changes to make it more attractive to tourists.
The Karakoram highway in Pakistan. Photo by travelview/Shutterstock
Earlier this month, the country announced a new, more relaxed visa policy to make it easier for travellers to visit. They have created a new visa system and online portal so potential visitors can find all the information they need in one place.
To start with, five countries are now eligible for an online visa; UK, Malaysia, China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Visitors from 50 nationalities are also eligible to get their visa immediately on arrival. The policy is planned to expand in the future but until then, other countries will have to continue on the old system of applying for a visa prior to travel and waiting 7-10 days.
Lahore Grand Mosque. Photo by Nadeem Wajahat/500px
Pakistan has also abolished most restrictions of movement within the country. Until this week, tourists had to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to visit some areas. These have mainly been scrapped, opening up many parts of Kashmir, Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to overseas visitors.
There are still restrictions in six areas. Tourists are still unable to travel within 10 miles of the borders with China and Afghanistan and within five miles of the military control lines in Siachen, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
View image on Twitter
Ch Fawad Hussain
✔@fawadchaudhry
https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1110411617659965440
Another landmark acheived NOC regime for foreigners come to an end, @ImranKhanPTI vision is to make Pak a heaven for tourists and following new Visa regime this important policy decision of ending NOC requirements is a leap forward #DiscoverPakistan
4,656
1:22 AM - Mar 26, 2019
1,107 people are talking about this
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Fawad Hussain Chaudhry tweeted the update, saying the plan was a leap forward to turn Pakistan into a “a heaven for tourists”. The country also already has its fans among the more adventurous travellers. In 2018 the British Backpacking Society voted the country the top destination for backpackers, saying it is “home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people, and offers some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery.”
Currently the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office have travel warnings against many regions in the country and should be carefully reviewed before planning any trip.
Get inspired to travel everyday by signing up to our daily newsletter.
PakistanVisas
SHARE THIS ARTICLE:
