The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) is likely to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the request to simplify visa procedure for foreigners. Mohammad Ali Lodhi, a senior member of the chamber, in a letter has suggested that the KCCI should approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to seek simplification in visa issuance procedure.
He further suggested that foreigners desiring to visit Pakistan should obtain invitation letter from Pakistani businessmen and get visa issuance recommendation letter from their own chambers, trade association and present it to Pakistan embassy in their country for processing visa. This will save time and cost of Pakistan's businessmen.
At present Pakistani businessmen, who want to invite foreigners for technical support or business negotiation, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, have to obtain copy of passport of foreign invitees. This is submitted with other documents to their respective chambers for issuance of visa invitation letters.
After getting the said letter, it is mailed to the invitee for submission to Pakistan embassy abroad. This causes delay in the visit and loss of time in consultation, plant erection and negotiation of business deal etc. He pointed out that presently visa invitation letters for inviting foreign parties are signed by sitting president, senior vice president or vice president. Sometimes delay is caused by non-availability of authorised signatory.
It is proposed that Secretary General and Public Relation Officers of the chambers should be authorised to sign visa invitation letters for members. Procedure of visa invitation letter should be streamlined so that it can be issued in the shortest possible time.
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