March 26, 2019: The federal cabinet has approved a new civil aviation policy to promote tourism and give boost to aviation industry in the country.

Briefing newsmen about the decisions made in the cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said traveling to the tourist resorts of Pakistan will be facilitated by reducing expenditures.

The Information Minister said facilities, including reduction in traveling expenses and cuts in taxes, worth four billion rupees will be offered to promote tourism. He said there will be no tax on domestic aerial travel. He said the cabinet also discussed to start helicopter and 40-seater planes service to the tourist sites in the country.

The Minister said open sky policy in Pakistan is being withdrawn, and foreigners will no more need to have no objection certificate to move in the country.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet decided to review agreements with all international airlines. He said women will be encouraged to become pilots and Civil Aviation Authority will contribute up to four hundred thousand rupees in fee for the purpose. He said the duration of license of pilots has been increased to five years.

He said a new visa regime has already been introduced under the Prime Minister's visision to promote tourism. He said E-Visa facility is being provided to five countries, including the Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. He said people from fifty-eight countries can get visa on arrival, while 170 other countries will be given E-visa facility.

The minister said the cabinet decided to lift the ban on high rising buildings in Islamabad and any builder who wants to construct skyscrapers in the federal cabinet will not have to obtain permission from CDA or Civil Aviation Autority.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet also approved two billion rupees Ramzan package to provide relief to people during the holy month.

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