![Senate imposes police verification for all Pakistanis traveling to UAE, amid visa restrictions and begging concerns. [Image via Dawn]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2320314650d82b4.webp)
On Monday, the Senate panel was informed that the police would now require vetting and verification for all Pakistanis traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The development comes amid growing discontent among Middle Eastern states over the increased numbers of Pakistanis involved in begging that has spurred authorities into action as they have started vigilant screening of passengers travelling to those destinations.
The UAE authorities also started actively declining visas to Pakistanis who did not have enough money in their accounts to prove them as “genuine visitors”, according to travel agents.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development today regarding the UAE’s unofficial visa restrictions, especially for employment visas, Bureau of Emigration of Overseas Employment Director General Muhammad Tayyab told the panel: “The authorities will no longer allow any case of traveling to the UAE without police verification.”
He added that they also instructed travel agents in this regard.
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Senate Urges Action on UAE Visa Issues
A post on the Senate’s Facebook page said that Committee Chairman Senator Zeeshan Khanzada emphasised the need for more action. This was because people were questioning when authorities would resolve visa-related issues.
He also noted that agents claimed they met all requirements when applying for visas. Yet, authorities still did not issue visas. Seeking clarity on the underlying problem, the committee chairman pointed out that people were increasingly seeking opportunities in other countries. He also pointed out that the UAE remained a key labour market.
Khanzada said that those affected still face significant pressure and many challenges. He suggested providing updates on compliance. He also recommended a timeline for resolving the issues to better inform the public.
The statement said that other committee members also expressed reservations regarding the update on visa restrictions.
Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) Secretary Arshad Mahmood clarified that restrictions did not imply a complete denial.
He explained that, as far as Dubai was concerned, there were no restrictions, and each country had its own objectives.
The secretary emphasised that there were no restrictions on skilled labour. However, there had been a recent decline in the demand for unskilled labour.
He noted the need to focus on sending more skilled workers abroad, adding that approximately 700,000 workers had already gone abroad this year.
This news is sourced from Dawn and is intended for informational purposes only.
