Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have long enjoyed strong diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations. The UAE remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners in the Middle East and serves as a major destination for Pakistani workers, whose remittances contribute significantly to the national economy. Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the Emirates, forming one of the country’s largest expatriate communities.
During a recent briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, a senior interior ministry official revealed that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE had refrained from imposing an outright ban on Pakistani passports but had taken measures that signaled growing restrictions. He cautioned that if a formal ban were ever introduced, reversing it would be extremely challenging.
According to the official, the UAE is currently issuing visas only to individuals holding blue or diplomatic passports, while ordinary Pakistani passport holders are facing significant difficulties. He further explained that only a very limited number of visas had been issued recently, and even those were granted after considerable hurdles.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, who chairs the committee, also confirmed the details shared during the briefing. She stated that the restrictions were reportedly linked to concerns over certain travelers becoming involved in unlawful activities after reaching the UAE. The committee was informed that these developments had contributed to the tightening of visa policies for regular Pakistani applicants.
This situation underscores the need for diplomatic engagement to address the concerns raised and to ensure that the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and the UAE continues on a stable and cooperative path.
