United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Pakistan, Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, has announced that visa-related issues between the two countries have been resolved. Pakistani citizens can now obtain a five-year visa, according to a press release issued by the Governor's House on Tuesday.
Al Zaabi, accompanied by Consul General Dr Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, met with Sindh Governor Karmran Tessori at the Governor's House. During the meeting, Al Zaabi invited the governor to visit the Visa Centre at the UAE consulate in Karachi.
In December last year, a Senate panel had been informed that all Pakistani travellers to the UAE were required to undergo police vetting and verification. This development came after UAE authorities increased scrutiny of Pakistani visitors due to concerns over involvement in criminal activities, including begging.
Weeks later, in another meeting on Jan 9, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was informed that UAE visas had been "unofficially closed" over concerns that some Pakistanis, after arriving on visit visas, were resorting to begging.
"Visa issues have been resolved, Pakistanis can get a five-year visa," the Governor's House press release quoted Ambassador Al Zaabi as stating during the meeting. It added that the ambassador invited the governor to visit the UAE visa centre in Karachi.
On the occasion, according to the press release, Tessori thanked UAE envoy for his country's investment in the province, especially in Karachi. The ambassador praised the ongoing projects under the governor's initiative at Governor House.
Later, the UAE envoy planted a sapling as part of the tree planting campaign at the Governor's House and hoisted national flags of both the countries. He also recorded his impressions in the visitor's book, the press release concluded.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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