The Bureau of Emigration has introduced a new policy requiring employment visa applicants for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to submit a police character certificate.
Adnan Paracha, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), stated that this requirement responds to UAE government concerns.
Paracha explained that this measure addresses issues with some Pakistanis involved in begging and other illegal activities in the UAE. He stressed the importance of respecting UAE laws and described the country as a brotherly and friendly nation.
Additionally, the UAE has expanded its ban on visit visas from 24 to 30 cities in Pakistan, complicating the acquisition of work visas for Pakistanis. Last year, this resulted in over 100,000 individuals failing to secure employment in the UAE.
Read: UAE Strongly Refutes Visa Ban Rumors for Pakistanis
Paracha emphasized the UAE’s significance as Pakistan’s second-largest source of remittances after Saudi Arabia. He called on the federal government to engage diplomatically to resolve work visa issues.
In a related move, Pakistan has added 4,300 beggars to its Exit Control List (ECL) amid concerns about the rising number of Pakistani beggars in Saudi Arabia.
Read: Pakistan Places 4,300 Beggars on Exit Control List to Address Saudi Concerns
This development followed a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Interior Minister.
The discussions covered topics such as the exchange of paramilitary forces and police personnel and joint training programs.
