Asad Qaiser, a Pakistani Member of Parliament and former National Assembly speaker, has claimed that he and other Pakistani travellers faced unfair treatment at a hotel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following a flight cancellation. According to Qaiser, the hotel reportedly only provided accommodation to individuals holding Indian and American passports.

During a session in Pakistan’s National Assembly, Qaiser raised the issue, calling for diplomatic action. He described his personal experience of being stranded and seeking hotel accommodation after the cancellation of his flight. He asserted that an announcement was made indicating that only Indian and US passport holders would be accommodated, leaving Pakistani passengers without options.

Call for Diplomatic Intervention

Qaiser expressed his dissatisfaction with the treatment he received, labelling it as “extremely inappropriate.” He emphasised that despite the cancellation of their flight, his party’s members, along with other Pakistanis, were not afforded the same courtesy as their Indian and American counterparts. He articulated his concern given Pakistan’s closely-knit ties with the UAE, referring to it as a “brother Islamic country.” Qaiser underscored that Pakistanis have significantly contributed to the UAE’s growth and that he hopes for stronger relations between the two nations.

The MP’s protests aimed to raise awareness of this apparent discrimination, urging the Pakistani government, particularly the Foreign Office and Foreign Minister, to address the matter with UAE officials. He highlighted the necessity of maintaining a good diplomatic rapport, suggesting that such incidents must not hinder the already established connection between the countries.

In his remarks, Qaiser also indicated that he had received complaints from a group of individuals regarding similar experiences. They expressed concern over the negative implications such incidents could have on the long-standing relations between Pakistan and the UAE.

Significance of Pakistani Community in the UAE

The UAE is known to be home to a significant number of Pakistani expatriates, with recent estimates suggesting over 1.5 million Pakistanis residing in the country. This demographic is identified as one of the largest expatriate groups within the UAE, reinforcing the importance of the bilateral relationship.

Qaiser reiterated the affection and respect that Pakistani citizens hold for the UAE government and its people, insisting that episodes of discrimination should not result in resentment or deteriorate the mutual understanding that exists between the two nations. He reinforced the idea that both parties should work towards nurturing their relationship further.

The situation has brought to light the broader issue of how expatriates from various backgrounds are treated during unforeseen circumstances, such as flight cancellations. As Qaiser has urged action from the Pakistani government, it opens up discourse regarding the treatment of international travellers and inter-country relations, particularly in crisis situations.

The Pakistani government’s response to this incident remains to be seen, particularly in light of Qaiser’s call for a diplomatic approach to address the grievances raised. The government’s engagement with UAE authorities could play a crucial role in resolving such issues for its citizens travelling abroad.

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