The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was told on Monday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not “completely refused” to issue visas to Pakistani citizens despite ongoing concerns regarding visa restrictions.
According to a Senate press release, the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) clarified that while the demand for unskilled labor has decreased, there is no restriction on skilled workers.
“As far as Dubai is concerned, there are no restrictions,” the secretary stressed, stressing that each country has its own objectives when it comes to labor demand. The secretary also highlighted that nearly 700,000 workers have migrated abroad this year, emphasizing the need to focus on sending more skilled workers.
The UAE Has Banned Visas From 20 Countries 2023
However, Senator Khanzada expressed concern over the ongoing issue, saying that many people are asking when the visa restrictions will end. He said, “Agents claim to meet all the requirements when applying for visas, yet visas are not being issued.”
The committee called for further action, with Khanzada urging officials to provide updates on compliance and timelines to inform the public. He also suggested inviting Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) to future meetings to ensure proper checks and balances.
The Foreign Office had previously rejected the notion of a complete visa ban, with spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch clarifying that granting visas was a sovereign decision of the UAE.
Dr. Bakhit Ateeq Al-Rumaithi, Consul General of the UAE in Karachi, also rejected the perception of a visa ban, emphasizing that Pakistan is a priority for the UAE in business and investment.
While improvements have been noted, Pakistani citizens still face significant challenges in the UAE visa process, a situation that remains a major point of contention between the two governments.
