Welcome move

New pre-immigration clearance for UAE travellers in Karachi will ease visa snags, protect genuine commuters

The decision to screen travellers to the UAE at Pakistani airports is a welcome move. The pre-immigration clearance system, to be set up shortly in Karachi as a first step, will soon be extended to other metropolises. UAE's Director General of Customs and Port Security Ahmed bin Lahij Al Falasi and Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ironed out the deal. The action was warranted as a large number of Pakistanis faced lengthy immigration waits at the UAE airports, as the Emiratis have a stringent procedure to monitor debut arrivals, especially.

As UAE visas to Pakistanis had recently hit snags, and many of the applicants had to face rejection and, at times, deportation on the premise of a host of security variables, this preemptive window of vetting is laudable. It will not only enable genuine travellers to be at ease, but will also protect them from losing their hard-earned money in travelling, if their credentials come under question. Last but not least, the move has come on the heels of Pakistani immigration and vigilance sleuths offloading hundreds of passengers at various airports on suspicious charges, something that is up for debate in the parliament after being reprimanded by the courts.

The UAE is a lifeline destination for Pakistanis as it is home to more than 1.7 million expatriates. The remittances from the Emirate to the tune of more than $12 billion per annum are an asset, indeed. The new strategy of taking care of travel documents at home will enable peace of mind to commuters and safeguard their prestige, as their landing in the UAE will be treated as a domestic arrival. The fact that both countries proactively addressed the stalemate that was being witnessed in visa issuance has deterred the propaganda that Pakistanis are unwelcome in the Emirates.

The high-profile visits of respective leaderships are also a case in point, underscoring the growing unanimity and the commonality of interests in trade, investment, tourism and big-ticket corporate ventures. The pilot project at Karachi for document verification should have a foolproof process, ensuring no impediments or any unfair price tag.