Pakistan Addresses Rising Visa Rejections in UAE

Karachi, Jul 8 (PTI) The Pakistan government has acknowledged the rising number of visa rejections experienced by its citizens, particularly those from the business sector, attempting to enter the United Arab Emirates.

The issue came to the forefront during a meeting convened by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi with the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday.

Recognizing the growing number of visa rejections faced by Pakistani citizens in the UAE, Naqvi emphasized the government's dedication to addressing the problem.

"I will be raising this issue with my UAE counterpart in a meeting on Wednesday, and hopefully, the matter will be resolved," he assured the businessmen, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.

The minister also highlighted the government's efforts to enhance the global standing of the Pakistani passport, expressing pride in the "green passport" and optimism regarding its future reputation.

"The government is doing everything to improve the standing ranking of the Pakistani passport globally. We are proud of our green passport, and in the future, it will be a source of even greater pride," he stated.

Recently, countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have intensified campaigns to repatriate Pakistanis residing and working illegally.

Immigration authorities have increased vigilance at exit points to detect fake travel documents and apprehend offenders.

Naqvi also mentioned that concrete steps have been taken to curb the smuggling of US dollars from Pakistan through illegal trade channels.

In February, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, described the Gulf country's refusal of visas to Pakistani nationals as a “serious and significant” issue, confirming that both countries are working to tackle it. He noted that the visa refusals were primarily due to document authenticity and the criminal records of some applicants.

The UAE is Pakistan's third-largest trading partner after China and the US. It is also Pakistan's second-largest source of foreign remittances, after Saudi Arabia, with approximately 1.9 million Pakistani expatriates residing and working there.

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