The Chinese nationals who were killed, allegedly by ISIS, in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: People's Daily @ http:... Read More

NEW DELHI: Pakistan has announced new rules to tighten visa issuance - especially business and work visas - for Chinese nationals, reported Pakistani media.

Pakistan's interior ministry announced these new visa rules for those from China on Wednesday, a week after it said the two Chinese nationals recently killed in Balochistan were "preaching" Christianity illegally and in violation of their business visas.

The tightening comes in the form of extra layers of security, through requirements like endorsed letters from chambers of commerce, as well as through clearances required even from Chinese authorities, in some cases.

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Chinese nationals seeking business visas for Pakistan would have to show an invitation from a body recognized by Pakistani missions in China, Dawn wrote. That invitation has to then be certified and endorsed by a recognised chambers of commerce and industry. Further, Chinese nationals will need a letter from commercial attachés and other designated officers of Pakistan who are posted abroad for the promotion of business activities, the Nation reported.

The ministry also decided to become stricter on long-term visa extensions for Chinese citizens already in Pakistan. The powers of regional passport offices to grant visa extensions are to be immediately withdrawn. All cases of extension to business visas will now be dealt with at Pakistan's immigration headquarters in Islamabad.

In addition, Pakistani embassies and missions in China would be authorised to issue only one-year multiple-entry work visas for Chinese nationals coming to Pakistan to work on projects. Even those will be issued only after the Pakistani mission receives security clearance from Chinese authorities.

On June 8, ISIS claimed responsibility for the killing of the two Chinese nationals who had been abducted in Balochistan 's Quetta on May 24.

Last week, Islamabad said the murdered duo were preachers working for a South Korean Christian organization. The abductees "were engaged in preaching under the garb of learning Urdu from a Korean national", Pakistan's interior ministry said.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar was quoted as saying that while foreigners' security is certainly Islamabad's responsibility, those who visit Pakistan "are equally bound to abide by the terms and conditions of their visas".

