To check crime, UAE stops issuing visas to Pakistanis

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stopped issuing visas to most Pakistani citizens due to concerns about individuals travelling to the Gulf country and getting involved in criminal activities, according to Karachi-based daily Dawn. The revelation came during a meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, where officials warned that the situation could worsen if a formal ban were imposed.

The move follows a series of high-profile incidents involving Pakistani nationals in the UAE, including cases of begging rings, street crimes, murders, drug rackets, and overstaying.

Notably, earlier this year, two men from Telangana were killed, and a third injured in an attack, allegedly by a Pakistani national shouting religious slogans in a Dubai bakery where they worked.

The UAE's decision affects all categories of visas, including tourist, visit, and work permits for Pakistani citizens. Existing visas remain valid until expiry, but no fresh applications are being processed at UAE embassies or through authorised visa centres.

The move will affect the already dented image of the Pakistani passport, which is ranked fourth worst in the world for the third consecutive year.

Emirati authorities have time and again warned that organised groups from various countries exploit visit visas to engage in unlawful behaviour, with Pakistani citizens forming a significant portion of recent arrests in such cases.

OVER 8 LAKH PAKISTANIS APPLY FOR MIDDLE EAST VISAS ANNUALLY

Official data show that more than 8,00,000 Pakistanis apply for visas to Gulf and Middle Eastern countries each year, seeking employment and better economic opportunities. Many also use these destinations to eventually reach Western and European nations.

However, authorities in the region have raised concerns over illegal activities involving some Pakistani nationals. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has arrested over 4,000 Pakistani beggars, particularly in Mecca and Madina, where they were caught soliciting during Umrah and Haj pilgrimages. Additionally, several Pakistanis have been detained for drug smuggling and other criminal offences, prompting stricter visa scrutiny.

In 2018, Dubai's Head of General Security Dhahi Khalfan, in the light of a drug racket raid in Dubai, put out a series of tweets in Arabic accusing Pakistanis of bringing drugs into Gulf countries. Khalfan, who was a former Dubai Police Force chief, advised people in his country to "not hire Pakistanis". He said it should be their "national duty" to stop hiring Pakistanis.

UAE, SAUDI ARABIA MADE POLICE VERIFICATION MUST FOR PAK TRAVELLERS

Reports suggest that in December last year, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and several other Gulf countries announced that police verification would now be required for Pakistani travellers.

The UAE is currently only granting visas to holders of blue and diplomatic passports. "If a ban is imposed, getting it removed would be difficult," Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry told the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, adding that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had "stopped short of imposing a ban on the Pakistani passport," according to the Dawn.

Pakistani officials have yet to issue a formal response, though foreign ministry sources said diplomatic channels are being used to seek clarification and an early resolution.

The UAE has imposed similar short-term visa restrictions on other nationalities in the past when faced with comparable security or overstaying concerns.

Despite these concerns, the UAE envoy to Pakistan, Salem M Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, announced new steps to ease visa processing during a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad.

According to Pakistan's finance ministry, reforms include online visa applications, e-visas without passport stamping, and faster system-to-system linkages. Nearly 500 visas are being processed daily at the newly launched UAE Visa Centre in Pakistan, the ministry said on X.

Visa-related issues between Pakistan and the UAE have persisted for months. In July, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi raised concerns with his UAE counterpart after widespread visa rejections.

Earlier, in April, the UAE ambassador announced that Pakistanis could avail a five-year visa, following reports in January that some visas had been "unofficially closed".

Begging rings, street crime, and visa overstays remain the leading reasons for Pakistani visa cancellations in the UAE.

- Ends