Pakistan to set up separate immigration counters for foreign passengers

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the establishment of separate immigration counters for foreign passengers at all international airports across the country to facilitate travel and promote tourism.

The initiative aims to enhance Pakistan’s appeal to international tourists, business delegations, and investors, while also easing commercial activity. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Pakistan grew by 5 per cent in the fiscal year 2024–25, mainly due to a sharp rise in Chinese investment, according to new data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Officials said the separate counters are expected to significantly reduce immigration processing times for foreign travellers.

The move will also benefit returning Pakistani passengers, who will experience faster processing under the new regime.

The directive is part of a broader strategy to position Pakistan as a more accessible and investor-friendly destination.

It should be remembered that Pakistan sent 336,442 workers abroad between January and July 2025, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar remaining the top destinations, the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment data said.

The data shows mixed trends across Gulf countries. Demand for Pakistani labour in Saudi Arabia and Qatar rose significantly, while manpower exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman dropped.

Saudi Arabia received 242,337 Pakistani workers during the period — a monthly average of 40,389 compared to 37,713 last year when 452,562 workers travelled to the kingdom.

Similarly, 26,448 workers went to Qatar in the first half of 2025, compared to a monthly average of 3,401 in 2023 when 40,818 workers were sent over the entire year.