Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: The ambassador of Pakistan to Oman has taken advantage of Pakistan Day to announce a further initiative for the Pakistani community residing across the Sultanate.
Talking exclusively to Times of Oman, Ali Javed, Ambassador of Pakistan in Oman said he is pleased to launch another citizens-centred outreach programme: “I am pleased to launch a new initiative to mark each Pakistan Day. My first initiative on Pakistan Day 2017 has yielded the most impressive dividend as the WhatsApp Broadcast Initiative mustered 15,000 voluntary subscribers.” “This year, I announce the formal launch of another citizens-centred outreach initiative, Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) to guide and assist the ambassador through the voice and wishes of the community,” he further added.
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Technical experts
He said the members of the Citizens Advisory Council include both respected community leaders and technical experts.
Professor Dr. Michael Jansen will be in charge of Heritage Management, Reverend Zeresh Daniel and Dr. Shiyam Kumar for Interfaith Harmony and National Integration, Muhammad Shah Sheerani for Pashtun-Baloch Community, Naseer Saleh Mohammad Al Balushi for Baloch Community, Mohammad Ashraf will look after Community Affairs, Ameer Hamza for Omani Civil Society and Media, and Dr. Ikram Burney for Higher Education and Research.
“The CAC, whose current strength is eight, foresees two more members with six annual sessions,” Javed added.
On the occasion of Pakistan Day , widely celebrated across Oman, Javed also highlighted the relationship and brotherly ties shared between Oman and Pakistan and announced the new visa policy that was introduced by the government of Pakistan for Omani citizens.
“March 2018 to March 2019 marks a watershed in Pak-Oman relations, witnessing an unprecedented trajectory of exchanges between the Parliamentary, Political and Defence leadership and the addition of bilateral accords in the fields of Defence Training, Manpower, Literature and Parliamentary Affairs.
“I wish to also announce the Visa Policy introduced by the government, wisely led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, which predicts offering “e-Visa” to 175 nations. Oman is among 50 friendly countries to be extended “Visa on Arrival”
“Whereas Business visas shall be extended on ‘same day’, on the recommendation of this policy, Omani citizens are among eight privileged nations that shall receive ‘30-day Multiple Entry - Visa on Arrival’ to match the historic bonds of bilateral relations,” Javed said.
