The recent Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development meeting revealed a very relevant issue: the employment of Pakistani workers in the UAE. Contrary to the current buzz, no official ban exists on work visas for Pakistanis. However, more scrutiny and unofficial barriers are redesigning the contours of migration.
Debunking the Visa Ban Rumours
Reports claiming that the UAE had imposed a visa ban on Pakistanis have been termed baseless. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, chairman of the standing committee, clarified that visa-related issues would be dealt with through the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis. The UAE Consul General, Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi, reiterated that the issuance of visas is still open to eligible applicants through official UAE visa centres.
However, the issue is not altogether without its own complications. Overseas Employment Promoter Aisam Baig mentioned that in the last year, he had seen an approximately 50% decline in the number of Pakistani workers travelling to the UAE. There might not be any outright ban; however, trends seem to indicate tightened policies influenced by social concerns and economic priorities.
Impact of Social and Cultural Concerns
One of the reasons for UAE’s objections is the growing incidence of Pakistanis allegedly engaged in begging. Such an activity has given a wrong impression about Pakistani workers and forced the Gulf nation to put in place harsher measures. All Pakistanis travelling to Gulf states are getting police verification before leaving, ensuring that no individual leaves without getting proper clearance. Such measures enhance the quality of workers entering the UAE and prevent activities that bring Pakistanis a bad name abroad.
Additionally, UAE authorities are increasingly scrutinising applicants’ social media activity. Digital footprints have become a significant factor in visa assessments, with individuals held accountable for their online behaviour. This policy underscores the UAE’s broader efforts to maintain its cultural norms and security.
Challenges and Opportunities
The UAE, though a critical destination for Pakistani labour, presents many challenges. As Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Arshad Mahmood said, 90% of the immigration sector of Pakistan is operated privately, which is the reason for “substandard workers” being exported. This not only lowers Pakistan’s stature but also hampers job opportunities for skilled workers who would have met the stringent standards set by the UAE.
Read More: Rejection Ratio of UAE Visas for Pakistanis Soars to 99pc
Despite these challenges, hope still exists. Skilled workers still constitute 64% of Pakistanis migrating to Gulf states, which reflects the potential for a well-trained workforce to thrive. To capitalise on this, Pakistan must enhance its worker training programmes, improve regulations for private recruitment agencies, and strengthen diplomatic engagement with UAE authorities.
As both countries move through these complexities, cooperation and proactive measures will be crucial to ensure a sustainable future for Pakistani workers in the UAE.
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