In response to the growing trend of Pakistanis seeking political asylum abroad, the Foreign Office has implemented new visa note guidelines for the Senate and National Assembly Secretariat.
These changes, which received immediate approval from Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, aim to regulate the process of visa issuance more stringently. The guidelines were implemented with immediate effect.
The secretary of Foreign Affairs has informed both the Senate and National Assembly about the decision. Under the new policy, a prohibition has been placed on issuing letters of introduction for visa applications of family members of National Assembly and Senate Secretariat officers. This move is expected to curb the misuse of such documents in asylum applications.
In addition, stricter regulations have been applied to members of parliament (MPs) and their family members who hold private passports. They will now only be able to obtain letters of introduction if they provide an affidavit, adding an extra layer of accountability to the process.
For those holding diplomatic and official passports, the issuance of the note verbale – an official diplomatic communication requesting visa facilitation – will now be subject to a formal application and letter. The Foreign Office emphasized that policy guidelines for writing note verbales, introductory notes, and related letters will be strictly followed to prevent any potential abuse.
These measures are seen as a proactive step to manage the increasing trend of political asylum applications, which have raised concerns within the government.
