International Focus Magazine Vol. 1, #3 | Page 39

deletion of names, visa services for all US citizens living in the 10 states following under our
jurisdiction.
I have New Mexico, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Colorado,
Oklahoma, and Arizona.

How many consulate staff members
enjoy diplomatic immunity?
Consul General is assisted by Charge de
Affairs, commercial secretary and secretarial staff. We do not enjoy full diplomatic immunity, however, partial immunity is given to CG, charge de affairs
and commercial secretary. As diplomats
we do enjoy tax exempt status.

Do you invite trade delegation from
USA to visit Pakistan and vice
versa bring trade delegations from
Pakistan to USA?
Yes from time to time our commercial attaché Mr. Fawad Shah,
arranges events for Pakistani business community to bring trade
delegation to USA and hold
trade shows which benefits our
exporters. We have also taken
US business delegations to Pakistan, particularly to promote
power projects and oil and gas
exploration.

How safe it is for US citizens to visit Pakistan for
business or investment purpose and what is Pakistan
government doing to increase tourism to Pakistan?
Security is always an issue and some precautions should be taken by visitors going to Pakistan, we strongly suggest that visitors
avoid going to areas which are currently at high risk and are
under Pakistan army war on terror restricted zones.
Pakistan has a very effective and strong foreign investment policy.
The government of Pakistan is encouraging investments particularly for power projects, oil and gas exploration and development.
Pakistan offers great opportunities for mountain climbers, we have
the second highest mountain K2 and the seven out of the next 10
highest peaks, we offer highest lakes for fresh water trout fishing, our
Northern areas are called Pakistan Switzerland.

In order to increase foreign investments in Pakistan, what is the
current policy of present government, regarding licensing and
repatriation of profits?
Pakistan has a very aggressive policy for foreign investments: We have
tremendous opportunity in oil and gas exploration, large recoverable coal,
copper and gold deposits in Sindh, Baluchistan and KP provinces, excellent opportunities for live stock farming and agriculture in Punjab.

According to the US Energy information Administration (EIA) an estimated fresh recoverable shale gas reserves of 105 trillion cubic feet (TCF)
and more than one billion barrels of oil in Pakistan, ranked number 9 in the
world. Houston based companies are showing active interest to benefit from
exploring these vast reserves.
Pakistan has just completed their first LNG terminal, constructed and being
operated by a Houston based firm; Excelerate Energy.

For a US citizen of
non-Pakistani origin, how
difficult it is to get a
business or tourist visa
for Pakistan?
All business visa applicants are required to
have an invitation from a
Pakistani company who
is a member of a know
Chamber of Commerce, the process
takes less than 5 days
to process the visa
application.

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