UAE Implements Strict Visa Restrictions for Pakistani Nationals
The United Arab Emirates has effectively stopped issuing visas to Pakistani citizens and came very close to imposing a complete ban on the Pakistani passport, according to shocking revelations made before a parliamentary committee in Islamabad.
Salman Chaudhry, Pakistan's Additional Interior Secretary, delivered this concerning news during a session of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights held on Thursday. He confirmed that both the UAE and Saudi Arabia had narrowly avoided imposing a full ban on Pakistani passport holders.
Security Concerns Behind Travel Restrictions
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who chairs the human rights committee, provided crucial context for these restrictions. She explained that the UAE's decision stems from serious concerns about visitors engaging in criminal activities within their territory.
The committee learned that the Emirates has largely suspended visa approvals for ordinary Pakistani citizens. Only a very limited number of visas have been granted recently, and those required overcoming significant hurdles and delays.
It's important to distinguish between Pakistan's two passport types: the blue passport reserved for government officials and eligible personnel, and the standard green passport used by ordinary citizens. The restrictions primarily affect holders of the green passport.
Diplomatic Efforts and Visa Processing Reforms
In a contrasting development, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Salem M Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi met with Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on the same day to discuss major visa facilitation reforms for Pakistani nationals.
According to a statement from the minister's office, the ambassador highlighted that nearly 500 visas are being processed daily at the newly launched UAE Visa Centre in Pakistan, indicating some ongoing diplomatic efforts to normalize the situation.
The relationship between Pakistan and the UAE represents one of the most significant partnerships in the region. The Gulf nation stands as one of Pakistan's largest trading partners and serves as a crucial source of remittances, supported by the substantial Pakistani workforce residing there.
Recent Developments and Government Response
Pakistani nationals experienced a sharp increase in visa rejections beginning in early July, prompting Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to personally intervene and raise the matter with his UAE counterpart.
The situation remains delicate, as officials acknowledged that if a complete passport ban were imposed, reversing such a decision would prove extremely challenging for diplomatic relations.
This development comes at a sensitive time for Pakistan-UAE relations, which have historically been strong across diplomatic, economic, and cultural spheres. The outcome of ongoing discussions between the two nations will significantly impact thousands of Pakistani workers and families dependent on UAE employment opportunities.
