RIYADH: Following a request by the government, Saudi Arabian ministry today announced an extension in visas of Pakistanis working in the kingdom, in light of travel restrictions imposed due to the new coronavirus pandemic.
“The Saudi Arabia government is extending entry and exit visas of Pakistanis working in KSA,” said an official of the ministry. “The extension would be free of charge, in order to provide relief to the labour stranded in the country due to COVID-19 outbreak.”
The official further added that the Saudi government will take care of Pakistanis who have been fired from their jobs, and ensure timely payments to them.
Earlier: Saudi Arabia releases Pakistani prisoners
According to the details provided to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Saudi Arabia had released under royal clemency five hundred and seventy-nine Pakistani prisoners.
Dr. Amir Sheikh MD of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation said that the representatives from relevant offices in Pakistan were in touch with the Saudi government over the release of prisoners.
It is pertinent to mention here that Imran Khan had requested the Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to show leniency towards the prisoners languishing in the Saudi prisons.
Pakistani mission in contact with Saudi government for release of prisoners
Parliamentary Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Ms. Javaria Zafar Aheer had earlier said that Diplomatic Mission of Pakistan is in continuous contact with Saudi government for release of Pakistani prisoners there as announced during interaction between heads of two countries in recent past.
Responding to a question here in National Assembly, she said that Foreign office is playing its role and the process for the release of prisoners has started owing serious efforts of the current government.
About government policy for overseas employment of Pakistanis in Pakistan, she said that overseas employment is being regulated through Emigration Ordinance, 1979 and rules made there under.
She said that Ministry is in process of formulation of “National Emigration and Welfare Policy for Overseas Pakistanis” having the scope to promote overseas employment, welfare of overseas Pakistanis and their families and reintegration of return migrants to Pakistan.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that Pakistan has bilaterally signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the fields of manpower and employment with Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Oman and Malaysia etc.
She said that further efforts are underway to sign MoUs with Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and other potential labor receiving countries.
