ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has called for an early end to the visa restrictions on Pakistani Citizens for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Talking to the UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi in Islamabad on Tuesday, the minister said that Pakistan and the UAE have long-standing relations, and efforts will be continued for the promotion of bilateral ties.
The interior minister said that 1.5 million Pakistani workers in the UAE are a valuable asset, and they send foreign exchange reserves worth about US$ 5 billion to Pakistan annually.
وزیر داخلہ شیخ رشید احمد سے متحدہ عرب امارات کے سفیر حماد عبید ابراہیم الزابی کی ملاقات۔۔۔دوطرفہ تعلقات،عرب امارات میں پاکستانی کمیونٹی اور پاکستانی شہریوں پر حالیہ ویزہ پابندی سےمتعلق بات چیت۔@ShkhRasheed pic.twitter.com/H6NiohdqoK
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) December 22, 2020
Sheikh Rashid said that the UAE government’s cooperation will be required for the extradition of the Pakistanis imprisoned in the UAE.
The UAE ambassador said that the visa restriction on Pakistani Citizens is temporary. He said that talks are underway, and hopefully the issuance of visas will soon resume.
The envoy said that the Pakistani Community has an exemplary role in the development of the UAE, and their wellbeing is among our priorities.