The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned giving regular visas to Pakistani citizens. The biggest reason behind this ban is believed to be the use of fake identity cards by Pakistanis to get involved in criminal activities.
New Delhi. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned giving regular visas to Pakistani citizens. The biggest reason behind this ban is believed to be the use of fake identity cards by Pakistanis to get involved in criminal activities. Let us tell you that in the last few months, many Pakistani travelers had complained about large scale visa rejections. According to Pakistani newspaper Dawn, a senior Pakistani official also admitted that the UAE’s move was related to concerns about Pakistanis traveling to the West Asian country and “getting involved in criminal activities”.
Pakistan termed visa refusal as a serious issue
According to Dawn report, UAE has expressed concern over suspicious educational certificates and other documentation. Besides, the increasing cases of some visa applicants being linked to criminal cases have also been highlighted. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhary, during his briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, said that both Saudi Arabia and UAE have come very close to formally banning Pakistani passports. The report said that Pakistan’s former ambassador to UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has described the refusal to grant visa as a serious issue.
Pakistan termed denial of visa as a serious issue
According to Dawn report, UAE has expressed concern over suspicious educational certificates and other documentation. Besides, the increasing cases of some visa applicants being linked to criminal cases have also been highlighted. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhary, during his briefing to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, said that both Saudi Arabia and UAE have come very close to formally banning Pakistani passports. The report said that Pakistan’s former ambassador to UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has described the refusal to grant visa as a serious issue.
UAE is using AI based system for verification
Former Pakistan Ambassador to UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi said UAE authorities have raised questions over the authenticity of Pakistani educational and qualification certificates. It has also been pointed out that if the required attestation is found lacking, whether in Pakistan or UAE, then the original documents can also be rejected. It is reported that UAE is now using AI-based system to verify credentials, which has added an important element of verification to all applications.
There may not be a formal ban, but visas to most Pakistanis have been stopped
Pakistan’s Additional Interior Secretary recently confirmed to the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights that the UAE has stopped granting visas to most Pakistanis, even though there is no formal ban on it yet. This ban started as an informal suspension rather than a formal ban.