Pakistanis waiting on a Saudi work visa for Pakistani workers have been given a clear timeline: Riyadh says such visas will be issued in 24 hours or less. In Islamabad, Riyadh's envoy, Dr. Raji bin Tami Al-Baqami, gave that assurance and pledged full facilitation of the process.
What the ambassador said
In the meeting, the envoy told Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain that the kingdom was ready to cooperate as far as possible on visa processing for Pakistani labourers. He also said Saudi Arabia would keep helping with problems faced by Pakistanis already living and working there.
Both sides agreed to form a joint panel that would take up these matters quickly, strengthen institutional links and help build human resources. The discussion also covered relations between the two countries and new job opportunities for Pakistanis in the kingdom.
Skills and job openings
The minister urged Saudi Arabia to widen job openings for skilled Pakistanis. He said Pakistani manpower should receive training in advance so that it matches the needs of the Saudi labour market, and he asked for timely information on workforce demand and the skills needed in the kingdom.
He also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to closer ties, saying both countries would keep cooperating for the benefit of their people.
What happens next
The commitment was made at a meeting, and no start date for the joint panel or written procedure for the 24-hour timeline has been confirmed so far. Workers and families planning a move should watch for official announcements from both governments before relying on any change in timing.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Saudi Arabia ne Pakistan ko yaqeen dilaya hai ke Pakistani workers ke work visa 24 ghante ya us se kam mein jaari hon ge. Saudi ambassador ne Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain se mulaqat mein poori madad ka waada kiya aur dono taraf ek joint panel banane par ittefaq hua. Is se visa ka intezar kam hone ki umeed hai, lekin ye abhi ek waada hai, pakka qanoon nahi. Jab tak sarkari elan na ho, apni taiyari jaari rakhein.
