Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) addressed the issue of visa issuance for Pakistani nationals during a high-level diplomatic meeting on Wednesday. The UAE assured Pakistan of steps to expedite the visa process.
The issue was raised during a meeting between UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Foreign Office (FO). Discussions also focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
The FO stated:
“The deputy prime minister and ambassador Al Zaabi discussed visa issues for Pakistani nationals. The ambassador briefed the deputy prime minister on steps being taken to streamline visa processes, including augmenting human resources to reduce delays and expedite visa processing.”
Background on Visa Concerns
Delays and rejections of UAE visas for Pakistanis have recently sparked media attention. However, Islamabad has consistently denied reports of a ban or new restrictions on UAE visas for Pakistani nationals.
During weekly media briefings at the Foreign Office, questions about UAE visas and the presence of a large number of Pakistanis in UAE jails have been raised. The FO has emphasized that granting visas is a sovereign decision of the UAE.
When questioned about reports of 5,000 Pakistanis incarcerated in UAE jails, the FO spokesperson declined to confirm the figures, stating that detailed information was unavailable. Allegedly, these individuals were involved in illegal activities in the UAE.
Steps Toward Resolution
The UAE ambassador reassured Pakistani officials that measures are being implemented to expedite visa processing and address concerns raised by applicants. Despite the visa challenges, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to fostering strong diplomatic and economic ties.
It remains unclear if the issue of Pakistanis in UAE jails was part of the recent discussion. However, Pakistan has reiterated its focus on resolving these matters through diplomatic engagement with UAE authorities.
