ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan is currently addressing a huge obstacle as its citizens encounter increasing difficulties in obtaining visas for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Hum Investigation Team (HIT) has learnt.
As per the evidence available with the HIT, documents from the Foreign Ministry reveal a range of issues that have led to heightened scrutiny of Pakistani applicants and a notable rise in deportations.
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Among the primary concerns is the submission of fraudulent academic degrees and employment contracts by some Pakistani nationals seeking employment in the UAE.
Such deceptive practices have undermined the credibility of applicants, and prompted UAE authorities to implement striker visa application processes for applicants from Pakistan.
HIT also learnt that some Pakistanis in the UAE have been involved in political and criminal activities, further complicating the visa landscape.
The misuse of social media platforms has been identified as a significant issue, with allegations of inappropriate behaviour by certain Pakistani citizens online.
The problem of overstaying visas have become increasingly prevalent, with many people remaining in the UAE beyond their authorised period. This has contributed to a perception of non-compliance with immigration regulations, straining relations between the two states, as well. #
Despite everything, the Foreign Ministry clarified that there is currently no formal visa ban on Pakistani citizens. Ongoing discussions with the UAE officials aim to address the above stated concerns and facilitate travel for Pakistani nationals.
A report from the Geo News indicated that over 200 Pakistanis were deported from various countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, within a single week.
The deportations were due to a range of issues, including visa violations, legal framework, and human trafficking charges. This has raised some serious concerns about the behaviour of Pakistani expatriates abroad.
Between January 19 and January 21, over 220 Pakistanis were sent back from China, Turkey and even Senegal. In Saudi Arabia alone, 47 people were deported for different reason, including visa-related issues, backlisting and working without a sponsor.
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The UAE accounted for a notable portion of the deportations, with 103 Pakistanis released from jail and deported back to Pakistan using emergency travel documents.
Reports also indicated that some deportees have been victims of human trafficking.