Pakistan sets up separate immigration counters for foreigners to boost tourism, investment
Pakistan sets up separate immigration counters for foreigners to boost tourism, investment/node/2610501/pakistan
Pakistan sets up separate immigration counters for foreigners to boost tourism, investment
Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel stand guard at the International arrivals area of New Islamabad International Airport, ahead of its official opening, Pakistan, on April 18, 2018. (REUTERS/File)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has established separate immigration counters for foreigners at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to reduce clearance delays, an official said on Sunday, with the facility to be extended to airports nationwide.
The development follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives to authorities this year to improve services at airports across Pakistan to facilitate passengers, businesspeople, tourists and overseas Pakistanis as part of the country’s efforts to boost tourism and foreign investment.
Pakistan, bolstered by a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, is currently making efforts for export-led economic growth and has signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding with a number of countries, particularly those in the Gulf and Central Asia.
“Practical steps have been initiated to improve the immigration system and new immigration counters have been established for foreign passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore this week,” Mehmood Ali Khokhar, a Federal
Investigation Agency (FIA) spokesperson, told Arab News.
“With these new counters, foreign travelers will no longer face unnecessary delays in immigration clearance.”
Pakistan’s travel and tourism market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.75 percent between 2025 and 2029 to reach an estimated market volume of $5.53 billion by 2029, according to Statista, a German online platform that specializes in data gathering.
Similar immigration counters would gradually be established at all international airports across the country, according to Khokhar. This would also make the immigration process faster and easier for Pakistani citizens returning home.
“The purpose of these measures is to upgrade immigration services to meet international standards,” he added.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will be sending today, Sunday, 100 tons of humanitarian aid supplies for Palestine, the authority said.
The development comes days after Israel allowed aid into Gaza and lifted months of blockade of the territory, following international outcry stoked by images of malnourished children, however, the scale is deemed woefully insufficient by international organizations.
Nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip while waiting for aid since May 27, the majority by the Israeli army, the United Nations said on Friday. The Israeli army denies any targeting, insisting it only fires “warning shots” when people approach too close to its positions.
The NDMA said it had completed preparations to send a 100-ton consignment carrying relief items for Palestine and the aid flight will depart from the Islamabad airport on Sunday evening.
“A hundred tons of aid will reach Amman, Jordan through a special flight,” it said. “The aid consignment consists of food items and medicines.”
International organizations have for months condemned the restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on aid distribution in Gaza, including refusing to issue border crossing permits, slow customs clearance, limited access points, and imposing dangerous routes.
Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, has consistently condemned Israeli military actions and called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into Palestinian territory.
The South Asian country last month used its presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to refocus global attention on the crisis in Gaza.
“The NDMA will send a total of 200 tons of relief goods to Palestine through special flights,” it said, adding the authority had so far sent a total of 1,715 tons of aid to Palestine.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have signed agreements in the fields of politics, economy, culture and other vital sectors, Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday, as Tehran and Islamabad eye raising their bilateral trade to $10 billion.
Pezeshkian arrived in Pakistan’s capital on Saturday on a two-day state visit to increase bilateral trade and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Pakistan and Iran have remained at odds over instability along their shared, porous border that even led to a missile exchange between them last year. Both countries, however, were quick to move to ease tensions.
Iran and Pakistan have attempted to forge closer economic and investment ties through border markets and trade links in recent years.
“My deep belief is that we can easily, in a short time, increase the volume of our trade relations from the current $3 billion to the projected goal of $10 billion,” Pezeshkian told reporters during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and high-level delegations from both countries in attendance.
“We reached good agreements in the political, economic, commercial, and cultural fields during this visit,” he said.
The Iranian president said Islamabad and Tehran had signed “important documents” that would facilitate and promote bilateral ties in commercial, cultural, tourism, transportation and scientific and educational exchanges between the two nations.
“The development of transit routes, railroad and sea routes, the development and equipping of border markets facilitating trade and the establishment of joint free economic zones, are serious needs in the relations between the two countries,” Pezeshkian noted.
“And we had constructive discussions on those issues.”
Pakistan and Iran routinely trade blame for not tackling militancy in their shared border areas. The Iranian president said the issue had come up in talks between both sides.
“Also, given the threats from terrorist groups in border areas, increasing cooperation between the two countries to ensure border security and the peace and comfort of citizens in border cities was emphasized,” he said.
The Iranian president condemned Israel for its military operations in Palestine, Syria and other areas of the Middle East, calling for the cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
Sharif welcomed the Iranian president to Pakistan and said the two sides held fruitful discussions on culture, religion, history and geography.
He condemned Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June, saying there was no justification for the attacks. Both leaders also called for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza.
The Pakistani prime minister hoped the memoranda of understanding signed between Pakistan and Iran would “soon” convert into agreements.
“Mr. President, today we have signed many MoUs and it is my prayer and your wish that these MoUs become agreements very soon,” Sharif said.
“And it is your wish and mine too that we achieve the target of $10 billion in trade as soon as possible,” he added.
He said Iran and Pakistan had the same stance when it came to “terrorism,” adding that both countries were opposed to it.
Sharif vowed that Pakistan and Iran, through partnership and cooperation, would take steps against militants to ensure peace in their border areas.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singer and actor Fawad Khan will be part of a panel of prominent judges who will feature in “Pakistan Idol,” which is set to make a comeback after a decade-long hiatus, a report in the international website Variety said this week.
Pakistan Idol was a reality singing television competition show that followed the “Idol” franchise created by British entrepreneur Simon Fuller. The show ran from December 2013 to April 2014 and featured pop stars Ali Azmat, Hadiqa Kiani and prominent actress Bushra Ansari as judges.
The show ran on Geo Entertainment and featured just one season. Production company MHL Global has secured the rights for Pakistan Idol from format distributor Fremantle to revive the singing competition series, Variety reported on Saturday.
“The show will feature a star-studded judging panel including actor Fawad Khan, singer Zeb Bangash, qawwali artist Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Strings musician Bilal Maqsood,” Variety said. “The revival marks a significant return for the franchise, which last aired in 2014.”
The report said MHL Global has planned an ambitious distribution strategy for the show’s reboot, with it set to air simultaneously across five television networks, a first for any “Idol” franchise globally.
“According to the company, this multi-platform approach aims to reach diverse audiences across Pakistan’s various regions and languages,” it added.
Zoya Merchant, director of MHL Global, said the launch represented “a cultural movement.”
“Pakistan has incredible musical talent, and this platform will not only spotlight it nationwide but elevate it to the global stage,” she said.
Variety said the production will incorporate modern digital engagement alongside traditional television broadcasting, adding that online auditions are launching through the Begin platform, while in-person casting calls are planned for major cities and remote regions.
“Production is expected to begin later this year, with broadcast details and premiere dates to be announced,” the report disclosed.
Khan enjoys heartthrob status in both Pakistan and India. After making a name for himself in hit Pakistani TV drama serials and movies such as Humsafar, Zindagi Gulzar Hai, The Legend of Maula Jutt and Khuda Kay Liye, he went on to star in Bollywood films Kapoor and Sons, Khoobsurat and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
Before his acting career took off, Khan was a member of the Lahore-based rock band Entity Paradigm. He also sang the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem for the 2019 edition of the cricket league.
West Indies hold their nerves to beat Pakistan in T20 thriller
Jason Holder takes four wickets, smashes boundary off final ball to hand West Indies win
It is the first T20 victory for West Indies in seven matches after they lost 5-0 to Australia
Updated 03 August 2025
AP
LAUDERHILL, Florida: Jason Holder took four wickets and then smashed a boundary off the final ball of the game to lift West Indies to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Pakistan on Saturday and level the three-match Twenty20 cricket international series.
The veteran allrounder bowled an inspired spell to take 4-19 off four overs, as Pakistan struggled to 133 for nine after it won the toss and batted in Florida.
The West Indies reply also stumbled as Pakistan’s spinners kept scoring difficult but late cameos by Gudakesh Motie and Romario Shepherd kept West Indies just about in the contest before Holder’s heroics off Pakistan talisman Shahid Shah Afridi’s final delivery clinched it.
It is the first T20 victory for West Indies in seven matches, a span that includes a heavy 5-0 series defeat to Australia, on top of a test series sweep last month.
“Been a tough couple of weeks for us,” captain Shai Hope said. “We always try to get better, the guys have put in a lot of hard work.
“Hopefully today is the turnaround we are looking for.”
Earlier, Hasan Nawaz’s 40 from 23 balls and captain Salman Agha’s 38 from 33 deliveries led Pakistan from a precarious 53-4 in the 10th over, but 133 looked a vulnerable target at the innings break.
Fresh from taking three wickets in Pakistan’s 14-run win in the opening game at the same venue on Thursday, Mohammad Nawaz took another three Saturday, returning 3-14 from his four overs.
Like Thursday’s game, West Indies found scoring more than five-an-over difficult on the spin-friendly pitch and lost regular wickets.
When Roston Chase was teased into a big shot by Saim Ayub (2-20), West Indies had sunk to 70-5 in the 14th over and looking at a steep mountain to climb.
West Indies rally Motie got the innings moving with his quickfire 28 from 20 balls before Shepherd chipped in with 15 from 11 balls, including taking 10 runs off Hasan Ali in the second-to-last over to give West Indies a glimpse.
Needing eight runs from the final over, Afridi (1-31) removed Shepherd off the second ball, with Holder and new batter Shamar Joseph only able to score singles off the next three balls.
Afridi then bowled a wide to leave West Indies needing three runs from the final ball. Holder (16 from 10 balls) then found the gap at backward square to score the boundary they needed and end their six T20 match losing streak.
“We’ve had a fair bit of criticism which is warranted,” player-of-the-match Holder said. “We haven’t done justice to our potential.
“We can be a lot better, consistency has definitely plagued us.”
The third T20 will be held in Lauderhill on Sunday before an ODI series in the Caribbean.
ISLAMABAD: Waiters weave through the busy restaurant floor, hurriedly taking orders from famished customers and making room for plenty of others who amble into the busy ݲԻ’s gourmet café in Islamabad. It has been a little over three months since the restaurant opened for business in Pakistan’s capital. The steady stream of customers suggests it’s here to stay.
This is the story of several restaurants from Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi that have opened their outlets in Islamabad in recent years and found success in the capital. These include ݲԻ’s, Hot N Spicy, Red Apple, Caffe Praha, Student Biryani and others.
These people bring much-needed diversity to the city’s culinary landscape. The southern port city is home to the Memon, Bohra, Punjabi, Pashtun, Baloch, Bengali, Malbari, Sindhi and a large community of MuHajjirs--people who migrated from India at the time of partition. Each group has contributed distinct flavors to Karachi’s ever-evolving palate with their own signature dishes.
But while Karachi has always been famous for its mouthwatering biryani, slow-cooked beef stew popularly known as nihari and the haleem, a thick, savory porridge of meat, lentils, and wheat, Islamabad’s residents did not find the same delight in the capital city’s version of these dishes.
Hence it comes as no surprise that Karachi’s prominent eateries that tried their hand in Islamabad have gotten impressive results so far. Take for instance Red Apple, a Karachi-based restaurant food chain popular for its paratha rolls and barbecue items, that started in Karachi in 1996 and now has 25 branches in total in the city.
“Three years ago, we launched in Islamabad and Lahore and within that period, have opened seven branches across Islamabad and Rawalpindi,” Hamza Channa, the general manager of Red Apple’s F-6 branch in Islamabad, told Arab News.
“There was no good roll paratha here. So Red Apple brought a good roll paratha and barbeque,” he said, adding the restaurant chain has the potential to open 20 outlets in the capital city.
The picture taken on July 31, 2025, shows Karachi-based eatery Red Apple in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN photo)
The picture taken on July 31, 2025, shows a chef preparing a paratha roll at Karachi-based eatery Red Apple in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN photo)
ݲԻ’s, another Karachi-based eatery, describes itself as a modern gourmet café that serves simple and flavorful meals to customers. The cafe has been operating in Karachi for the past 14 years and found success with three outlets there before it expanded into Islamabad three months earlier.
Khasham Zaman, a businessman who has savored meals at both ݲԻ’s outlets in Karachi and Islamabad, said the arrival of Karachi-based restaurants in the city is narrowing the gap in fine-dining experience in the capital.
“There is still room for improvement in the quality of the food, but I think they are doing exceptionally well,” Zaman told Arab News.
“I have tried ݲԻ’s both in Karachi and after that in Islamabad. It’s a new addition and it’s fantastic.”
The picture taken on Juky 31, 2025, shows a customer taking picture at Caffe Praha in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN photo)
Another Karachi-based eatery that has gained popularity in Islamabad is Caffe Praha. After operating in the southern city since 2019, Praha, which offers its customers the experience of relishing coffee and cakes at its outlets that it says are styled after Prague’s street cafés, opened for business in Islamabad on June 26.
The picture taken on July 31, 2025, shows a customer taking a picture of food at Caffe Praha in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN photo)
For popular food vlogger “Guy Knows Food,” the popularity of new food chains opening in Islamabad has less to do with taste and more with “aesthetic appeal.”
“It is really easy for Karachi’s restaurants to enter Islamabad’s food market because consumers here have really low expectations when it comes to restaurants,” the vlogger told Arab News.
“They usually just focus on the aesthetic and/or location of the restaurant and are not concerned about actual fundamentals, like food or service or choice of ingredients, or its sourcing even.”
The picture taken on July 31, 2025, shows a chef preparing pizza at Caffe Praha in Islamabad, Pakistan. (AN photo)
He described Karachi’s range of food options as “absolutely amazing,” saying that restaurants based in the city are proof of that.
“Even Karachi’s restaurants don’t maintain the same quality of food and service here as they know that Islamabadi consumers won’t be too concerned,” he said.
“They can get away with it.”
Mahira Khan, however, absolutely relishes both the taste and experience that Praha offers.
“As they are advertising from Prague to Islamabad, I was expecting the same kind of touch, [that is] European food,” she said, sipping her Peach Mojito.
“And yes, the food was exactly what I was expecting.”
