In an interesting development, media reports on Saturday claimed that Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah visas for 14 countries including Pakistan.
According to these reports, the ban includes visas for Umrah, business, and family for these fourteen countries.
Jang News also claimed that the Saudi government has officially informed Pakistan of the decision regarding visa ban, instructing Pakistani Umrah visa holders to return home by April 29.
Reportedly the countries included Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Yemen.
However, government sources have rejected the social media reports that Saudi Arabia has banned Umrah visas for Pakistanis.
“Some false information is being spread on social media that Saudi Arabia has banned visas from 14 countries and has also banned Umrah visas, which include Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, etc,” stated the sources.
“The fact is that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced a ban on visas on specific dates this time too, like every year, in preparation for the Hajj season, which is applicable to all nationalities globally, not just to specific countries and these restrictions will not apply to family or business visas.”
According to this source, the Saudi government routinely imposes a temporary visa ban during Hajj season.
“Pakistanis are requested not to listen to negative information which is only intended to defame the country,” stated the source.
“More details will be provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi authorities after April 6.”
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