In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Kuwait has officially lifted its 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens, resuming the issuance of work, family, visit, tourist, and business visas for Pakistani nationals. The announcement was made by the Pakistani government on Tuesday, marking a major step towards strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
Background: The 2011 Visa Ban
Kuwait had initially imposed a visa ban on Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan in 2011, citing security concerns in these nations. Despite repeated efforts by Pakistani authorities to reverse the decision, Kuwait maintained its restrictions for over a decade.
- 2017: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Kuwait and formally requested the restoration of visas for Pakistani citizens, but no immediate progress was made.
- May 2021: Kuwait partially eased restrictions by allowing family and business visas for Pakistanis, along with technical visas for workers in the medical and oil sectors.
Full Visa Restoration: A Major Diplomatic Achievement
The latest decision represents a complete reversal of Kuwait’s earlier restrictions, opening doors for Pakistani workers, families, tourists, and business professionals to enter the Gulf state.
The Pakistani government described the move as:
“A major diplomatic achievement and a step towards deeper bilateral cooperation.”
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, confirmed the development, stating:
“Community members have already begun receiving approvals, marking a positive step forward.”
Upcoming Labour Agreement Between Pakistan and Kuwait
In addition to the visa resumption, Ambassador Iqbal revealed that Pakistan and Kuwait are in the final stages of negotiating a new Labour Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement is expected to:
- Streamline the employment process for Pakistani workers in Kuwait.
- Enhance worker protections and ensure fair labor practices.
- Boost remittances from Pakistani expatriates in Kuwait.
Pakistan-Kuwait Relations: A Historical Perspective
Pakistan and Kuwait have maintained strong diplomatic ties since establishing relations in October 1963. Key areas of cooperation include:
- United Nations (UN) collaborations.
- Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) partnerships.
- Financial Action Task Force (FATF) coordination.
Pakistani Community in Kuwait
According to Kuwaiti government estimates, around 95,000 Pakistani nationals currently reside in the emirate, contributing significantly to its workforce, particularly in:
- Healthcare (doctors, nurses, paramedics).
- Oil and gas sector (engineers, technicians).
- Construction and domestic work.
Economic and Social Impact of Visa Resumption
The lifting of the visa ban is expected to have far-reaching benefits:
Increased job opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Pakistani workers.
Boost in remittances, strengthening Pakistan’s economy.
Enhanced people-to-people ties, promoting tourism and business exchanges.
Strengthened diplomatic relations, paving the way for future collaborations.
Conclusion
Kuwait’s decision to fully restore visas for Pakistani nationals marks the end of a long-standing restriction and opens new avenues for economic and diplomatic cooperation. With the upcoming Labour MoU, both countries are poised to deepen their partnership, benefiting thousands of Pakistani expatriates and businesses.
This development underscores Pakistan’s improving international standing and reflects successful diplomatic efforts by the current government.
