Confusion surrounding Pakistan’s new consular facilitation arrangement in the United Kingdom has been clarified by the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza has confirmed that direct consular services will not be discontinued.
He said multiple service channels will continue operating simultaneously for overseas Pakistanis.
Confusion over new UK consular arrangement
Earlier this week, the Pakistan High Commission in London announced a new agreement with Gerry’s Visa Services Ltd. The company was appointed to provide additional visa and consular facilitation services across the UK.
Following the announcement, concerns emerged among overseas Pakistanis who feared that direct services at the High Commission and consulates might be shut down.
Reports suggested that applicants could be forced to rely solely on Gerry’s centres, triggering confusion within the community.
In a letter addressed to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza clarified the situation.
He said misinformation had spread regarding the scope of the new arrangement. During his visit to the UK, he also engaged with community leaders to address their concerns.
Raza confirmed that consular services will continue through multiple channels, including:
- Pakistan High Commission in London
- Pakistani consulates across the UK
- Gerry’s Visa centres
- NADRA Pak ID online platform
According to the OPF chairman, overseas Pakistanis initially feared losing direct access to consular services. However, after clarification, community leaders expressed satisfaction with the updated understanding.
He said the clarification has been widely welcomed, easing concerns among applicants living in different parts of the UK.
Details of the Gerry’s visa services agreement
The Pakistan High Commission stated that Gerry’s Visa Services Ltd was selected through a transparent competitive bidding process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved the contract under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules. The process reportedly took four months and included full regulatory checks and due diligence.
Only UK-registered companies were eligible to participate in the bidding process.
Officials said the new arrangement is designed to benefit overseas Pakistanis, especially those living in remote areas of the United Kingdom.
Gerry’s centres are expected to offer weekend services, reducing travel time and costs for applicants who previously had to visit London or other consulates.
Authorities clarified that Gerry’s role will remain limited to:
- Processing and data entry for passport applications
- Visa and NICOP application support
- Document collection for attestation services
However, sensitive matters such as powers of attorney, land-related issues, and final decision-making authority will remain strictly under the Government of Pakistan and its diplomatic missions.
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