ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association Monday hailed the restoration of visa drop boxes by the Saudi embassy in Islamabad.
In a statement issued by POEPA, President Habib Ali Shah said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed fraternal relations and all Pakistanis had a special place for Saudi Arabia in their hearts. He said hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis were currently working in Saudi Arabia and millions others visit the country for Umrah and Hajj every year.
Shah said that since the arrival of Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, the relations between two countries were getting stronger. He said the services of the current Saudi ambassador for bringing the two nations closer were unparalleled.
The POEPA chief said the Saudi Ambassador took immediate notice of suspension of visa drop boxes by the visa consulate and got the issue resolved on priority basis, thus saving hundreds of Pakistani workers intending to travel to the kingdom from unnecessary hassle. Shah said kingdom houses the number of Pakistani workers more than any other country. He said remittances by these workers were a major component of Pakistan’s economy. He hoped that the embassy will continue to take measures for facilitation of Pakistani workers intending to migrate to Saudi Arabia on work visas.
Published in Daily Times, December 26th 2017.
