Cabinet Approves Visa Clearance System to Tackle Fraud and Simplify Travel Abroad

The federal cabinet has placed its biggest emphasis on reforming Pakistan’s visa and travel clearance system, approving a new Visa Clearance System designed to make obtaining visas abroad more transparent, secure, and efficient for Pakistani citizens. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny of overseas travel processes and rising concerns over illegal migration, forged travel documents, and stricter entry rules by partner countries.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has already ordered tighter checks on travel documents and announced an AI‑based screening system set to launch in January to flag fake visas and prevent illegal travel before departure.

These moves aim to curb fraudulent agent networks and protect Pakistan’s image abroad as numerous countries increase background verification or reject suspect applicants.

Pakistan’s recent push on visa modernization also follows earlier efforts to digitize entry procedures and improve international travel access. The online Visa Prior to Arrival (VPA) platform has processed over 142,000 successful visas six months after launch, streamlining applications for tourists and business travelers.

The cabinet also approved other policy updates with less emphasis in the announcement. It extended the Off‑Grid Power Plants Levy Act 2025, allowing third parties to supply gas to captive power plants and support private sector energy generation. The government granted in‑principle approval for updates to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) Ordinance 2002 to modernize tendering processes and enhance transparency.

In legislative business, the cabinet repealed the National University of Security Sciences Islamabad Act 2025 and formed a committee to improve consultation on private members’ bills in the National Assembly. Policymakers also endorsed the National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy 2025, which encourages botanical plant use in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical and textile sectors.

Lastly, the cabinet ratified decisions from the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases from its October and November meetings to ensure smoother legislative coordination.