Pakistan Passport Ban in Saudi Arabia and UAE: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are preparing to ban Pakistani passports. This is due to the crimes committed by Pakistani citizens in their countries. Both countries deport a large number of Pakistani citizens each year.
Islamabad: Pakistan’s already tarnished image has suffered another major blow. This time, it has been dealt by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Pakistan’s ATMs. Both countries have stopped issuing regular visas to Pakistanis. Pakistani citizens were allegedly involved in crimes such as begging gangs, street crimes, and overstaying their visas in these countries. This has angered both countries.
Pakistani Interior Secretary Confirms
According to a report in Dawn, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has unofficially suspended visa issuance to Pakistani passport holders, except for blue and diplomatic passports. Pakistan’s Interior Secretary, Salman Chaudhry, confirmed this at a meeting of Pakistan’s Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights. He further stated that “both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have refused to impose a complete ban on Pakistani passports.” He added that “if a ban is imposed, it will be difficult to lift it.”
Why did the UAE suspend visas for Pakistanis?
Pakistan’s Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry stated that both countries, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have stopped issuing visas to Pakistani citizens due to “criminal activities.” Confirming this, Pakistani Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Human Rights, was quoted by Dawn as saying, “These suspensions are due to repeated incidents where Pakistani visitors were found involved in illegal activities inside.”
Pakistanis involved in crimes in the UAE-Saudi Arabia
According to him, there is growing concern that Pakistani citizens are entering the UAE and engaging in criminal activities. He further stated that only a few visas have been granted recently, and even those after considerable difficulties. This move by the UAE comes after Saudi Arabia suspended visas to Pakistani citizens from 30 different cities, citing cases of them being caught begging. In fact, earlier this year, Saudi Arabia arrested and deported over 4,700 Pakistani beggars, especially in Mecca and Medina.
A ban on Pakistani passports is also likely.
Following the UAE’s move, officials in Pakistan have stated that the restrictions could escalate to a complete ban on passports. Chaudhry warned, “If a ban is imposed, it will be difficult to lift it.” The UAE’s new visa reforms will affect various visa categories for Pakistani citizens, including tourist, visit, and work permits. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry said that the country is currently only granting visas to those with blue and diplomatic passports. Blue passports are reserved for government officials, while green passports are for Pakistani travelers.
