The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was informed on Monday that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had not imposed a “complete denial” on issuing visas to Pakistani nationals, despite ongoing concerns regarding visa restrictions.
The remarks came during a committee session chaired by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, where the UAE’s unofficial restrictions on employment visas were discussed.
According to a press release from the Senate, the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OPHRD) clarified that while there had been a decline in the demand for unskilled labour, there were no restrictions on skilled workers.
“As far as Dubai is concerned, there are no restrictions,” the secretary emphasised, noting that each country has its own set of objectives when it comes to labour demand. The secretary also highlighted that approximately 700,000 workers had migrated abroad this year, stressing the need to focus on sending more skilled workers.
However, Senator Khanzada raised concerns over the ongoing issue, stating that many people were asking when the visa restrictions would be resolved. “Agents claim to meet all requirements when applying for visas, yet visas are still not being issued,” he said.
The committee called for more action, with Khanzada urging authorities 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 dismissed the notion of a complete visa ban, with spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch clarifying that granting visas is a sovereign decision for the UAE.
The UAE Consul General in Karachi, Dr Bakheet Ateeq Al Rumaithi, also rejected the impression of a visa ban, emphasising that Pakistan remains a priority for the UAE in business and investment.
While improvements have been noted, Pakistani nationals still face significant challenges in the UAE’s visa process, a situation that remains a key point of discussion between the two governments.
