Consulate General of Pakistan, Toronto

ANNOUNCEMENTS (28 January 2010)

1. Consul General's Interview on CTS TV on Saturday 30 Jan 2010:

Another interview of the Consul General would be aired, this Saturday, on CTS TV
(channel 9) at 3 pm.

2. Pakistan Consulate News:

 Our 2010 policy to issue "Visas in 24 hours" to Canadians of Pakistani origin has
been greatly appreciated by the community. We feel highly encouraged !!

 The main Reception of the Consulate office now gives a representational and
dignified look: new seating arrangement, huge rug, proper reception counter, a large
pencil portrait of Quaid-e-Azam and colourful flags of Pakistan, Canada and Ontario.

 A makeover project of the Consular Hall is also underway. Following is an update:-

Renovations. A fresh coat of paint and polishing of the floor-tiles has brightened the
hall.

Seating Capacity. 50 new comfortable chairs have been placed;

Multi-Media Entertainment. A large LCD TV has been wall-mounted yesterday. While

our ongoing test transmission is a local TV news channel (CP-24), we would finally run
a one-hour custom-made video showing the splendour & beauty of our beloved country
and also playing all-time favourite national songs.

Sign-Boards. New colourful sign-boards have been ordered, which would display
requirements and check-lists for passport and visa applicants.

Photocopy Machine. A new photocopy machine for public use will be installed by early
Feb. The copy charges will also be reduced from 25 cents to 15 cents a copy. This will
be a private venture.

On-site Photographer. A full-time (9.30 am to 1230 pm) photographer will also be

present on the premises, w.e.f. Feb 01, to provide on-spot photographs for manual
passports, visas etc. The rates will be compatible to the market, if not less. This will be a
private venture.
Electronic Queue Machine. A state-of-the-art electronic ticket machine, with voice
modulation and multi-display LED panels, is being installed next week. This would
enable the efficient operation of two simultaneous counters and would, thus, reduce the
waiting time by half.

Bank Counter. A bank counter is already working at the Consulate. It accepts cash and
debit/credit cards. There is, however, a bank service-fee of $ 5.00 per transaction-
receipt. (For example, a family making manual or machine-readable passports,
obtaining visas, attestation/registration matters etc., would pay only 5.00 fee, as long as
one combined payment is made through one receipt. There is a separate charge of $
5.00 for all NICOP services). People who do not desire to pay these charges at the
Consulate bank counter, may kindly bring bank-drafts for the exact amount of the
service. For detailed fee-chart, please visit our website at www.pakmission.ca

ATM Machine. We are looking for interested parties who can place an ATM machine at
the Consulate. Your help and guidance in this matter will be highly appreciated.

New Website. We intend to launch a modern and user-friendly website of the

Consulate by 23 March 2010. We look forward to any technical assistance and
expertise from volunteers in the community to develop this website, as a public
service.
3. News from Pakistan:

A Public-Private Partnership Conference, from the platform of the Friends of

Democratic Pakistan (FODP) was held in Dubai on 26 January 2010. A total of 20
countries, international corporations and the private sector attended the conference.
Building Pakistan’s own economic strength was an important component of the
overarching comprehensive strategy to overcome the challenges of terrorism and
extremism. Pakistan has developed such a strategy outlining short, medium and long-
term requirements.
Presentations were made on Pakistan’s economy, the foreign investment environment,
and public-private partnership frameworks in Pakistan. It was agreed that Pakistan’s
economy, despite multidimensional challenges, was showing healthy signs of recovery.
It was also stressed that several hundred foreign companies were already engaged in
all kinds of lucrative projects in Pakistan.
Reportedly, the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum has made commitment to
provide $1.8 billion to Pakistan. Pakistan's Foreign Minister emphasized that we do not
want aid, but would welcome investments into the country.

Serving the community, even better !