New travel guidelines have been enforced for Pakistani citizens holding dual nationality, while the noose has also tightened around facilitators of the banned Action Committee. Facilitators of the banned Action Committee and individuals holding invalid NICOPs have been barred from travelling to Pakistan.
Under the new directives, travellers entering Pakistan on a foreign passport must possess either a Pakistani visa or a valid National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP). The new instructions have been implemented with immediate effect at all international airports across the country, and immigration authorities have been formally informed.
According to immigration and passport sources, Pakistani dual nationals will no longer be allowed to enter the country using an expired NICOP. Likewise, individuals holding a cancelled NICOP will also be denied entry into Pakistan.
According to the sources, every Pakistani citizen who also holds the nationality of another country and is travelling on a foreign passport must present either a valid NICOP or obtain a Pakistani visa before arriving in Pakistan.
The new policy will apply equally to dual nationals arriving from all countries, including the United Kingdom. Immigration authorities have been instructed to ensure strict enforcement of the new rules so that travel documents can be effectively verified.
Immigration and passport officials have advised overseas Pakistanis, particularly dual nationals, to check the validity of their NICOP before travelling to Pakistan. If their NICOP has expired, they should renew it in time to avoid travel-related difficulties.
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