RECENT UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS      

Message from H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Youm-e-Istehsal (5th August 2020)

       Today marks one year since India undertook illegal and unilateral actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) in a bid to alter its internationally recognized disputed status and change its demographic structure.

What has followed is the worst human rights situation in the history of the IIOJK dispute with twelve months of uninterrupted and brutal military siege and crackdown. Media blockades,extrajudicial killings in fake ‘encounters’, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms have been used to try to break the will of the Kashmiri people,while Indian attempts to change their distinct identity continue unabated.

Through its illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and illegitimate domicile laws, India is in direct contravention of the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention.

The world community has denounced the illegal Indian actions and the worst human rights violations in IIOJK. India stands exposed before the international community as its ‘Hindutva’ agenda continues to unfold and usurp the fundamental rights of the Kashmiris and political and religious freedoms of the minorities.

Pakistan expects that the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir dispute will get the focus it merits from the international community. Pakistan will continue to raise the issue of  IIOJK at every available forum until the Kashmiri people get their legitimate right to self-determination as recognized by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and as per the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

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            Message from the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Youm-e-Istehsal (August 05, 2020)

Today marks 365 days of the unprecedented, inhuman military siege and communication blockade since India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. It is a crime against humanity that has destroyed lives, crippled livelihoods, and imperiled the very identity of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).

Eight million Kashmiris have been made prisoners in their own homes. Their communication with the outside world has been deliberately revoked to hide the scale of human rights violations being perpetrated against them by the Indian occupation forces. Young men are being extrajudicially martyred in “fake encounters” and so-called “cordon and search” operations, almost on a daily basis, while the real Kashmiri political leadership remains incarcerated.

The extremist and expansionist BJP-RSS combine, represented by the current Indian Government, is unabashedly pushing the ‘Hindutva’ agenda. It is seeking to change the demographic structure of the region and turn its Muslim majority into a minority in blatant violation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and international laws, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention.

As expected, the Kashmiris have rejected these illegal ‘engagements in deception’, and so has Pakistan. Parliamentarians, journalists, humanitarian workers, international human rights organizations and members of the international community have also raised their voices on the continuing gross human rights violations in IIOJK. India stands exposed before the world, yet again, as an oppressor and aggressor. Its so-called secular and democratic credentials stand fully discredited.

For the sake of the besieged people of IIOJK, and for the sake of fairness, justice and human dignity, it is imperative that the international community steps in immediately and backs its words of condemnation with practical steps that will force India to reverse its present course against the Kashmiri people.

Let me be absolutely clear: Pakistan will always be with its brothers and sisters in IIOJK. We will never accept, and neither will the Kashmiris, the illegal Indian actions and oppression of the Kashmiri people. India has already failed in keeping the voices of the Kashmiri people from reaching the international community. Now India will fail in forcing its majoritarian, ‘Hindutva’ mindset on a people unwilling to compromise on their just rights and fundamental freedoms.

India must realize that martyrdom of each Kashmiri and the burning and destruction of each Kashmiri house will only further strengthen the Kashmiris’ resolve for freedom from Indian occupation. Throughout the Kashmiris’ struggle, Pakistan will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its Kashmiri brethren until they realize their inalienable right to self-determination through free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations as per the relevant UNSC Resolutions.

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  CONSULAR SERVICES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

•  The Consulate will remain open for consular services between 10:00 am to 2:00 pm from Monday to  Thursday and 10:00 to 12:00 Noon on Friday. Those intending to visit  the Consulate  for services of essential nature may kindly book prior appointment  at the email: parepvancouver1@mofa.gov.pk. Please  don't forget to leave your telephone number while booking an appointment.

•  The applicants are  advised  to avail online services at the following portals: 

              Renewal of Passport:              https://onlinemrp.dgip.gov.pk/          

              Applying for Visa      :          ​    https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/ ​​  

              NICOP                        :              https://id.nadra.gov.pk/

RESUMPTION OF PIA FLIGHTS

•  Pakistan International Airline(PIA) has resumed normal commercial flights from Toronto. Tickets cancelled earlier due to Covid- 19 pandemic can be rebooked.  The travelers are advised to contact  the PIA Office in Toronto or a travel agency for the reservation of seats. The contact number of the PIA office is as below:

             Telephone:  +1 (416)9268747- Ext 225
             Email        :     ytotopk@piac.aero.

  FOCAL  PERSONS FOR ONLINE PASSPORT AND NICOP SERVICES

• The applicants who have applied  online for passports and NICOPs facing delay in processing their applications  are advised to contact the Director General, Immigration and Passport and National Data Registration Authority(NADRA) directly on the following emails:

           Online passport:           Info@dgip.gov.pk    &    muhammad.javed@dgip.gov.pk

           NICOP                 :          nicop.admin@nadra.gov.pk

PRIME MINISTER'S COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS

                         Account title:               :         Prime Minister’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund                                                                  2020

                  Name of Bank:          :          National Bank of Pakistan    

                  Account No:               :         4162786786

                 IBAN:                         :          PK11NBPA0002004162786786

                 Swift Code:                :          NBPAPKKAMBR

                 Name of Branch :      :          Main Branch, I.I. Chundrigar Road Karachi

                 Postal Code:              :         74500

PAKISTAN CLIMBS 28 PLACES in GLOBAL EASE OF DOING RAKING

• The World Bank in its Annual Report on ‘Ease of Doing Business 2020 on 24 October 2019 has highlighted the significant improvements Pakistan has made in Ease of Doing business. It states that that Pakistan has made six reforms in the last one year hat have improved its ranking to 108 from 136 among the 190 nations. The World Bank’s report testifies to the success of Pakistan’s ​Government in undertaking reforms to improve the business opportunities in the ​country. The relevant link is:  

• https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/10/24/doing-business-2020-accelerated-business-climate-reform-agenda-puts-pakistan-among-top-10 improversfbclid=IwAR0aym5I7H2qqStyL_jIcpT8lYkL8w466f5SglHcDINUG3O6VWEIEfxpd_M

VISA ON ARRIVAL (VoA) FOR BUSINESSMEN FROM CANADA

•  The Government of Pakistan has introduced Visa on Arrival (VoA) for 50 countries and E-Visa for 175 countries (including Canada), which would be augmented with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Details are available at

          https://visa.nadra.gov.pk