A special high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Salik Hussain was held in order to review the Spanish Resident Card process and got briefing in this regard, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Interior to provide legal protection and facilities to Pakistanis living abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured full support for the Spanish Resident Card process.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Spain, Dr Zahoor Ahmed, gave a detailed briefing on the Spanish Resident Card.
The Meeting was briefed that this policy is not for those seeking political asylum.
The provision of a character certificate and other required documents has been made mandatory.
Eligible individuals will be issued a resident card for one year initially.
The path to permanent residence and citizenship will be paved after completing seven to eight years.
They decided that the process of document verification would be expedited so that applicants would not face difficulties.
Separate character certificates are not acceptable, a single national character certificate will be issued by the National Police Bureau Certificate will be issued, meeting decided.
Mohsin Naqvi said the verification process should be made easy and fast for the convenience of the applicants.
The applicants should be provided with complete facilities at every level, Mohsin Naqvi said.
Salik Hussain said it is gratifying that thousands of Pakistanis are getting legal status.
Pakistan's Ambassador to Spain Dr. Zahoor Ahmed, Consul General Barcelona and Community Welfare Attaché attended the meeting via Zoom.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Secretary Interior, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis, Additional Secretary Interior, Chairman NADRA, DG FIA, DG Passports, and other high-ranking officials attended the meeting.
Reporter: Awais Kiyani