ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The reasons behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE) decision to ban visas for Pakistani nationals have come to light, citing multiple concerns ranging from social media activities to criminal incidents.
According to official documents shared by the UAE government with the Pakistani embassy, the ban was proposed in a cabinet meeting after reviewing complaints regarding the conduct of some Pakistani citizens.
The documents reveal that Pakistani nationals have reportedly been involved in activities deemed inappropriate by the UAE, including protests, criticism of UAE government policies on social media, and misuse of online platforms. It was noted that such activities were contributing to a negative image of the UAE.
Furthermore, concerns were raised over allegations of forgery in identity documents, including altered identity cards and passports, by certain Pakistani individuals.
The document also highlighted involvement in criminal activities such as theft, fraud, begging, prostitution, and drug-related offences, which were reportedly more prevalent among Pakistani citizens compared to individuals from other nationalities.
Local authorities conveyed these concerns to Pakistan’s ambassador, underscoring that the decision to impose the visa restrictions was reached after deliberations at the highest levels of UAE’s government.
The Pakistani embassy in the UAE has reportedly forwarded these complaints to Islamabad in the form of an official report, urging immediate attention to address the highlighted issues.
The development has sparked discussions among the Pakistani community in the UAE, many of whom are law-abiding residents contributing positively to the local economy.
Calls for constructive dialogue and cooperative measures to resolve the matter are growing, as the visa ban impacts thousands of families and businesses dependent on Pakistani workers in the UAE.