Pakistan Cabinet Approves New Visa Clearance System to Ease Travel for Citizens

The federal cabinet of Pakistan has prioritized reforms in the country’s visa and travel clearance system by approving a new visa clearance framework.

According to reports, the new system aims to make the visa application process for Pakistani citizens abroad more transparent, secure, and efficient. The decision comes in the context of addressing illegal migration, fraudulent travel documents, and stricter internal regulations imposed by various countries.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the process for verifying travel documents will be strengthened. He stated that “from January, an artificial intelligence-based screening system will be introduced,” which will help identify fake visas promptly and prevent illegal travel before departure.

The government’s measures are intended to tackle fraudulent agent networks and protect Pakistan’s reputation abroad, while also responding to an increasing trend of rigorous background checks and rejected applications by other countries.

This initiative continues previous reforms in the visa system. Within six months of launching the online visa-to-arrival platform, over 142,000 visa applications were successfully processed, simplifying the application process for both tourism and business travel.

During the meeting, the cabinet also approved other policy measures. The Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act 2025 was extended to allow third-party gas supply to captive power plants, promoting private-sector energy production. Additionally, amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Ordinance 2002 were approved to modernize tendering processes and ensure transparency.

In the legislative sector, the cabinet approved the repeal of the National University of Security Sciences Islamabad Act 2025 and decided to establish a committee to improve consultation on private members’ bills in the National Assembly. The National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy 2025 was also approved, aiming to promote the use of botanical plants in pharmaceutical and textile industries.

The cabinet further ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation during October and November, ensuring better coordination and progress in legislative matters.