Saudi Arabia announces to cut visa fees for Pakistanis
RIYADH (92 News) – The Saudi Arabia government has announced to reduce the visit visa fees for Pakistani citizens.
The notification to slash the visa fees for Pakistan has been issued. The notification state that it was decided to cut Saudi visit visa fees for Pakistanis and the fee of single visit visa was reduced from 2000 Riyals to 338 Riyals.
It was also reported that the cut in visa fee was likely to come into effect from February 15. They said fee for visit visa would be reduced up to 338 Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) — single entry fee will be 338 SAR and multiple visa fee will be 675 SAR. Currently, visit visa fee is about 2000 SAR.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian government has indicated to give e-visa facility to Pakistan through which Pakistani Hajj pilgrims will be able to get visa online, which has been confirmed by Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noorul Haq Qadri.
Private tour operators’ claims about low-priced Hajj are false: Noorul Haq
A day earlier, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noorul Haq Qadri has said that private tour operators’ claims about low-cost Hajj package are false, warning the people not to be lured by them.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, he said that the government was striving hard to provide best facilities to Pakistani intending pilgrims.
He said that Saudi authorities have agreed to include Pakistan into their road to Makkah project to complete immigration procedure at Karachi and Lahore airports. “The government is trying to extend the immigration facility to Peshawar and Islamabad as well.”
The minister said that Saudi Hajj authorities are also working out on Pakistan’s demand of providing e-visa facility to Pakistan’s pilgrims.
He said that this time direct flights will be operated from Quetta to Madina and Jeddah. “Fresh meal of Pakistani taste will be served to pilgrims during their stay at Mashair.”
Dr Noorul Haq Qadri said a temporary Haji camp will be established at Gilgit for the facilitation of intending pilgrims from Gilgit-Baltistan and mobile biometric verification will be done in far-flung areas of the country.
