A delegation of businessmen visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and discussed the issue of delay in renewal, issuance of passports which is creating immense problem for them. 
 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.Saeed Ahmed Bhatti, Acting President of ICCI said that Caretaker Government should look into this issue and consider renewal or new passports requests by the members of business community on priority basis. 
 

He said that businesses would suffer due to unwarranted delays in renewal requests of businessmen passports as they could not proceed abroad to attend their scheduled business meetings owing to unavailability of renewed passport on time. 
 

Acting President of ICCI said that the businessmen also frequently travel for performing Umrah, therefore, renewed passports requests of those have applied must be delivered on priority basis. He said that this issue would take an alarming turn as Hajj season would start and it is feared that thousands of Pakistanis would be deprived of the performance of their religious duty due to the non-issuance of new passports.
 

He was of the view that businesspeople have the ability to portray positive image of Pakistan in the countries around the globe. Therefore, the issue of issuance of passports must be resolved on urgent basis that would also revive the confidence of the international investors and buyers to visit Pakistan for investment and to meet their Pakistani business counterparts.
 

Mr.Bhatti urged the regional directorate generals of immigration & Passports department operates under the ambit of Interior Ministry to facilitate the businessmen which would enhance economic relation of local businessmen with foreign investors and businessmen.  
 

ICCI President said that Pakistan has significant overseas population, which is roaming around 6.8 million across the globe i.e Saudi Arabia and UAE are considered to be the largest markets for Pakistani workers and delays in getting passports could result not only in loss of jobs but also foreign remittances.