Federal cabinet approves AI-based visa clearance system

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved the new visa clearance system, taking forward reforms in Pakistan’s visa and travel clearance system on a priority basis.

According to the report, the new system aims to make the visa application process more transparent, secure and efficient for Pakistani citizens abroad. This decision has been taken in the context of illegal migration, fake travel documents and stricter internal laws by various countries.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while issuing orders to tighten the process of checking travel documents, said that an artificial intelligence-based screening system will be introduced from January, under which it will be possible to identify fake visas in time and prevent illegal travel before departure.

The government’s measures are aimed at taking effective action against agent networks involved in fraud and protecting Pakistan’s reputation abroad, while the trend of strict background checks by several countries and rejection of applications of suspicious applicants is increasing.

These efforts by Pakistan to modernize its visa system are a continuation of previous reforms. Within six months of the launch of the online visa-on-arrival platform, more than 142,000 visa applications were successfully processed, further facilitating the process of applying for tourist and business travel.

The cabinet also approved other policy matters in the meeting. The Off-Grid Power Plants Levy Act, 2025 was extended to allow third parties to supply gas to captive power plants, with the aim of promoting energy generation in the private sector. Similarly, in-principle approval was given to amendments to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 to modernize the tendering process and ensure transparency.

In the legislative sector, the cabinet approved the repeal of the National University of Security Sciences Islamabad Act, 2025 and decided to set up a committee to improve the process of consultation on private members’ bills in the National Assembly. The meeting also approved the National Cannabis Control and Regulatory Policy 2025, under which the use of botanical plants in the pharmaceutical and textile sectors will be promoted.

The cabinet also ratified the decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation held during October and November, to ensure better coordination and progress in legislative matters.