A sub-committee of Senate Standing Committee on Interior has sought detailed briefing from Foreign Ministry on the issue of dual nationality arrangement with Malaysia for overseas Pakistanis. The sub-committee met with Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur in the chair here at Parliament House on Tuesday. The committee discussed visa policy relating to Pakistani origin nationals having dual nationality.
Sher Akbar Khan told that many Overseas Pakistanis of his constituency (Bonaire) who are working in Malaysia are facing visa problems, they give millions of dollar fine to Malaysian government due to overstay and delay in visa extension. The joint secretary of Interior Ministry told the committee that a total of $400 per year is fined to the overseas Pakistanis in Malaysia due to overstay. He said that 15 days is relaxation after expiring of visa. He told that fine is not charged if anybody submits application for visa within given time and the process takes a time of six months. He said that there is problem of security clearance due to changing the name in National Identity Card and in passport.
He said that the countries with Pakistan has dual nationality arrangements are United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Switzerland, Netherlands, US, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Ireland, Kingdom of Bahrain and Finland. The committee also recommended the Interior Ministry for making visa process easy. The committee members also said that the committee should give recommendations for dual nationality arrangement with Malaysia for overseas Pakistanis. For the purpose, the sub-committee has summoned Foreign Ministry officials for detailed briefing on dual nationality arrangement with Malaysia.