Latest news with #ZaffarIqbal
Gulf Insider
09-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Ends 19-year Visa Ban on Pakistanis
Kuwait's decision to lift a 19-year visa ban on Pakistani citizens has opened wide range of employment opportunities, particularly in healthcare, oil, and skilled labour sectors. The Gulf nation, facing rising demand for qualified workers, is now actively recruiting professionals from Pakistan including an initial batch of 1,200 nurses to support its workforce needs. With access restored to work, family, tourist, and business visas, the move promises a major boost for Pakistani jobseekers looking to build careers abroad, while deepening economic cooperation between the two nations. New era Kuwait's decision to lift ban on Pakistani citizens is set to usher in a new era of economic cooperation, labor mobility, and people-to-people connectivity between the two nations. Effective immediately, Pakistani nationals can now apply for a wide range of Kuwaiti visas, including work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial categories. The resumption of visa services is being widely hailed as a positive step, reflecting Kuwait's confidence in Pakistan's improved security environment and its growing interest in strengthening bilateral ties. Key benefits for Pakistan Thousands of skilled Pakistani workers, especially in the healthcare and oil sectors, now have renewed access to jobs in lifting of the visa restriction marks a strategic shift toward deeper economic collaboration. Kuwait is actively seeking skilled labour, and Pakistan, with its large, trained workforce, stands to gain significantly. The renewed access to Kuwaiti markets also creates openings for Pakistani businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors. Diplomatic and cultural relationsBeyond economics, the decision enhances people-to-people contact, allowing families to reunite and tourists to explore both nations. This development reflects mutual trust and the evolving maturity of Pakistan-Kuwait relations. Labour agreementsA new labour Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in the pipeline, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the rights of Pakistani workers in Kuwait. This will provide a more structured and secure framework for labor migration. All visa applications can now be processed through Kuwait's online platform, making it easier and faster for Pakistanis to apply and plan their travel or employment. Dr Zaffar Iqbal, Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, welcomed the development, stating: 'This is a significant milestone in Pakistan-Kuwait relations. The reopening of visa channels for Pakistanis will not only address Kuwait's labor needs but also uplift thousands of families in Pakistan.' Also read: Gulf Air Flight Lands Safely In Kuwait After Bomb Threat
Express Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Kuwait resumes visa access for Pakistanis
The Kuwaiti government officially resumed issuing a wide range of visas to Pakistani nationals, in a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations and addressing critical labour needs, several media outlets in the Gulf region reported on Monday. UAE-based Gulf News quoted Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr Zaffar Iqbal, as announcing plans to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait's healthcare sector, adding that an initial group of 125 nurses had reached the Gulf state last week. According to media reports, Kuwait stopped issuing visas to people holding passports of Pakistan, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan in 2011 because of security concerns. Now, it decided to allow work, family, visit, tourist and commercial visas to Pakistani citizens. The focal person of the Overseas Pakistanis Ministry welcomed Kuwait's decision, saying that the lifting of the visa ban would provide employment, trade and tourism opportunities to thousands of Pakistanis in Kuwait. He hoped Pakistan would earn valuable foreign exchange after this decision. According to Kuwait-based Arab Times, Ambassador Iqbal confirmed that Pakistani citizens had begun receiving approvals for various visa applications from this month that restored a vital channel for travel and employment between the two countries. Iqbal also told Arab News that Pakistan and Kuwait were in the final stages of signing a new labour memorandum of understanding (MoU), designed to streamline worker mobility and cooperation. "Some provisions are already being implemented ahead of the formal signing," he noted.
Gulf Insider
25-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait Reopens Visa Access For Pakistanis
Kuwaiti government has officially resumed issuing a wide range of visas to Pakistani nationals, in a significant step towards bolstering bilateral relations and addressing critical labor needs, Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, announced. The Pakistani Ambassador also announced plans to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait's healthcare sector, which faces rising demand. An initial group of 125 nurses was slated to arrive last week but faced delays due to housing challenges. 'Special teams are actively resolving the issue, and we expect the nurses to arrive in the coming days,' Dr. Iqbal said. Starting this May, Pakistani citizens have begun receiving approvals for various visas, including work, family visit, dependent, tourist, and commercial categories, restoring a vital channel for travel and employment between the two countries. Dr. Iqbal also revealed that Pakistan and Kuwait are in the final stages of signing a new labor memorandum of understanding (MoU), designed to streamline worker mobility and cooperation. 'Some provisions are already being implemented ahead of the formal signing,' he noted. The ambassador commended the deep historical and fraternal ties linking Pakistan and Kuwait. ''The bond between Pakistan and Kuwait predates both nations' modern statehoods,' he said. 'From early economic migration to the role of Pakistani engineers and workers in shaping Kuwait's infrastructure in the 1960s and 70s, our shared legacy runs deep.' With over 93,000 Pakistanis residing in Kuwait, the community plays a vital role in healthcare, education, and other sectors. 'Our citizens are exemplary and respected contributors,' Dr. Iqbal said. Highlighting economic collaboration, he pointed to Pakistan's vast potential in food security, agriculture, housing, and infrastructure, sectors aligned with Kuwait's Vision 2035 development goals. Kuwaiti investors are already among the largest Gulf investors in Pakistan, holding significant assets including hotels, reflecting strong confidence in the Pakistani market. Dr. Iqbal recalled Pakistan's military support to Kuwait during the Iraqi invasion, praising the enduring defense ties forged through shared sacrifice and cooperation. He underscored frequent high-level communications between the two nations, with multiple engagements between Pakistan's Prime Minister and Kuwait's leadership in the past six months. 'Kuwait plays a key role in regional peace-building and international diplomacy,' the ambassador said, noting close cooperation at the United Nations. Kuwait's support was instrumental in Pakistan's recent successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council, where it secured overwhelming global backing.
Arab Times
23-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Visas for Pakistanis Officially Open in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, May 23: Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Dr. Zaffar Iqbal, has announced plans to bring 1,200 Pakistani nurses to Kuwait soon to support the country's healthcare sector. Dr. Iqbal revealed that an initial group of 125 nurses was scheduled to arrive last week. However, their arrival was delayed due to housing-related issues. He assured that special teams are actively working to resolve the matter, and the nurses are now expected to arrive within the coming days. Dr. Iqbal also noted a broader increase in the movement of Pakistani workers to Kuwait, highlighting that as of May 1, the visa process has become more accessible for Pakistani nationals. Pakistani Citizens can now apply for a range of visa categories, including tourist, business, and professional visas. 'God willing, you will see more Pakistanis working and contributing to Kuwait's economy, especially in the healthcare sector,' the ambassador said.
