Islamabad urges Saudi Arabia to extend visa validity of Pakistani workers

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, Sayed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari asked the Saudi Vice Minister for Labor H.E Abdullah bin Naseer Abuthnain to further extend the iqama expiration date to 30 October 2020 and allow more Pakistan International Airlines Flight to Saudi Arabia.

“Frequency of flights of both Saudi air carriers and PIA may be increased as there is a lot of pressure from the workers who want to go back to Saudi Arabia. Lack of availability of flights has also resulted in exorbitant airfares.” Zulfi Bukhari said during an online meeting held here through video link. Zulfi Bukhari also requested the Saudi Vice Minister for labor to extend the iqama by atleast one month.

“Visa validity date may be extended to 30th October, 2020 both for Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia and for those Pakistanis who are currently on leave from their jobs and stuck in Pakistan.” SAPM said.

Saudi Deputy Minister for Labor, Abdullah bin Nasir Abu Al-Sani promised to raise the issue of flights and visa at the weekly joint ministerial meeting.

“We will present both the matters in the next weekly joint committee session of Ministry of Commerce, Interior, Labor and Human Resources.” the minister said.

The deputy minister further said that the policy of vacating 25% of airline seats has also been a burden on flights.

“The policy is being revised. Soon passengers will be allowed full seats occupancy which will also ease the burden on flights.” The SAPM congratulated the Saudi members on their National day.

Welcoming the expression, the Saudi deputy minister of Human Resource informed about a big news for Pakistan regarding amendment in labor laws in October.