The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was informed on Monday that there was not “a complete denial” from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in issuing visa to Pakistan nationals.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) passed these remarks as the committee, chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, met to discuss the UAE’s unofficial visa restrictions, especially for employment visas, according to a press release issued from the Senate of Pakistan.
Non issuance of visa by Dubai: Panel fails to speak a single word
“As far as Dubai is concerned, there are no restrictions, and each country has its own objectives,” the secretary maintained as he emphasised that there were no restrictions on skilled labour although “there has been a recent decline in the demand for unskilled labour”.
The secretary noted the need to focus on sending more skilled workers abroad, adding that approximately 700,000 workers had moved abroad this year.
Meanwhile, Senator Zeeshan Khanzada emphasised the need for more action, saying “people are questioning when these [UAE visa restrictions] issues will be resolved”.
“Agents claim to meet all requirements when applying for visas, yet visas are still not being issued,” he was quoted as saying in the press release.
Seeking clarity on the underlying problem, Senator Khanzada pointed out that while people were increasingly seeking opportunities in other countries, the UAE remained a key labour market.
He stated that there was still significant pressure and many challenges for those affected.
Khanzada suggested providing updates on compliance and a timeline for resolving the issues so the public could be better informed.
“On a related note, committee members expressed reservations regarding the update on visa restrictions,” the release added.
Khanzada recommended gathering detailed records and suggested inviting Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) to the next meeting to ensure proper checks and balances of data. He also sought data on the growing demand in the market.
Last month, the Foreign Office (FO) also rejected what it called an “impression” that the UAE has put a ban on issuing visas to Pakistani nationals.
Addressing a weekly media briefing, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said granting of visas to any individual is the “sovereign right and decision of the country concerned”.
“We do not subscribe to the impression that there is a ban on visas for Pakistani nationals as Pakistani nationals continue to travel to the UAE,” she said in reply to a query from Business Recorder then.
“Any issues that arise with respect to the issuance of visas and stay of Pakistani nationals in the UAE are important agenda items between Pakistan and the UAE, and we continue to discuss these issues with the government of the United Arab Emirates,” Baloch added.
Last week, UAE Consul General in Karachi Dr Bakheet Ateeq Al Rumaithi categorically rejected the impression that the UAE is rejecting visas to Pakistanis, emphasising that Pakistan remains a top priority for the UAE for business and investment.
In an interview to Business Recorder earlier this year, Ambassador to the UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi did not mince words as he acknowledged the ‘visa situation’ facing Pakistanis, adding that he was seeing “some improvement, but not a lot” even after the end of the amnesty scheme offered by the Gulf country.