In a significant development, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stopped issuing regular visas to Pakistani nationals, citing concerns over rising criminal activities linked to Pakistani travellers. According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, the UAE is currently only processing visa applications for holders of blue and diplomatic passports.

This move comes amid a crackdown on illegal activities, including organised begging rings, street crimes, and drug trafficking involving Pakistani nationals. Additional Interior Secretary Salman Chaudhry informed Pakistan’s Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights that the UAE had quietly halted visa issuance.

Addressing the committee, he said both the UAE and Saudi Arabia had “stopped short of imposing a complete ban” on Pakistani passports, warning lawmakers that, “If a ban is imposed, getting it removed would be difficult.” “Saudi Arabia and the UAE had “stopped short of imposing a ban on the Pakistani passport,” according to Dawn.

Criminal Activities and Begging Networks

The freeze on visas, which has affected categories including tourist, visit, and employment permits, is directly linked to incidents involving Pakistani citizens in the UAE. Over the past year, several Pakistani nationals have been arrested for illegal activities such as drug smuggling, theft, and involvement in street begging, particularly during the Umrah and Hajj seasons. The UAE government has expressed growing frustration over the misuse of visit visas, with Pakistani nationals often entering the country on tourist or visit permits only to engage in criminal activities.

Pakistani nationals have been disproportionately involved in begging rings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other major UAE cities, especially in busy areas such as mosques, markets, and tourist spots. Saudi Arabia recently deported over 5,000 Pakistani beggars as part of a similar crackdown, and the UAE’s decision to halt visas comes in the wake of rising concerns that some organised groups are exploiting visas for illegal purposes.

Visa Freeze and Criminal Concerns

The freeze on visas has put additional strain on Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with the Gulf states. With more than 800,000 Pakistanis applying for visas to the Gulf annually, including a significant number seeking employment in construction, trade, and services, the ongoing visa restrictions are likely to affect a large section of Pakistan’s workforce abroad. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has raised the issue with the UAE government, but officials fear the diplomatic situation could worsen if a complete ban on Pakistani passports is imposed.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, chair of the Senate Committee on Human Rights, confirmed the UAE’s actions, stressing that the move was driven by repeated instances where Pakistani nationals were involved in unlawful activities after arriving in the country. Zehri also warned that if the UAE imposes a full ban on Pakistani passports, it would be difficult for Pakistan to reverse the decision.

Despite the ongoing restrictions, the UAE envoy to Pakistan, Salem M Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, outlined new steps to streamline visa processing during a meeting with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in Islamabad. According to Pakistan’s finance ministry, reforms include online visa applications, e-visas without passport stamping, and quicker digital linkages between systems. Nearly 500 visas are currently being processed daily at the recently launched UAE Visa Centre, the ministry posted on X.

Growing Concerns Over Criminal Activity

The issue of organised begging rings has been a growing concern for several years, especially in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, a large number of beggars detained in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina were found to be Pakistani nationals, many of whom had entered the Kingdom on tourist visas. Similarly, Dubai’s police have regularly arrested Pakistani nationals for engaging in street crimes and overstaying their visas.

In response to the increasing number of criminal incidents, Gulf countries have also introduced stricter visa requirements, including mandatory police character certificates for Pakistani applicants. Despite these measures, the UAE’s recent decision to freeze visa issuance underscores the deepening concerns over the misuse of visit visas by a section of Pakistani travellers.

Diplomatic Efforts Underway

While the Pakistani government has yet to issue an official response to the UAE’s visa freeze, foreign ministry officials are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had previously raised concerns over the rising number of visa rejections in meetings with UAE officials. The Pakistani government is hopeful that a resolution can be found to address the visa freeze without escalating tensions.

Despite the visa freeze, the UAE has announced plans to streamline the visa application process through reforms such as online applications and e-visas, with the goal of reducing processing times. However, the ongoing freeze on most visas remains a significant concern for Pakistani nationals, particularly those who rely on the Gulf for employment and family support.

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