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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Pakistan joins India in UAE's 5-year multiple-entry tourist visa list
Pakistani nationals can now apply for the UAE's five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, over a year after the facility was made available to Indian travellers, the UAE's ambassador to Pakistan announced on May 14, 2025. 'Visa issues have been resolved; Pakistanis can get a five-year visa,' said Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, UAE ambassador to Pakistan, during a meeting at the Governor House in Lahore. The five-year tourist visa allows holders to enter the UAE multiple times from the date of issue without needing a local sponsor or host, according to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai. Tourists planning a visit to the UAE can choose from several visa options: Single-entry tourist visas (valid for 30 or 60 days) Multiple-entry tourist visas (valid for 30 or 60 days) Five-year multiple-entry tourist visa Transit visas (valid for 48 or 96 hours) Visa-on-arrival for eligible nationalities or valid visa/residency holders from certain countries Scrutiny and prior restrictions on Pakistanis The development follows increased scrutiny of Pakistani travellers in recent months. On December 23, 2024, a Senate panel was informed that all Pakistanis travelling to the UAE were required to undergo police verification. Travel agents had also received instructions in this regard, Dawn reported. Later, on January 9, 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was told there were 'no restrictions on work visas' for Pakistani nationals, though UAE authorities had concerns over those entering on visit visas. The panel was informed that some Pakistani visitors had taken to begging in the UAE, leading to unofficial visa delays. In a separate interview with Geo News in November 2024, UAE's consul-general in Karachi, Dr Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, suggested that rejections could be linked to social media activity by applicants. India remains UAE's top visitor market The five-year visa was opened up to Indian nationals over a year earlier and remains a key part of UAE's travel policy for one of its largest tourism markets. In 2023, Dubai welcomed 2.46 million Indian overnight visitors, up from 1.84 million in 2022, according to UAE's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). In 2024, that number stood at 2.2 million. Separately, in February 2025, the UAE expanded its visa-on-arrival policy for Indian passport holders who also possess valid visas or residence permits from: Australia Canada Japan New Zealand Singapore South Korea This builds on the earlier 2024 rule allowing Indian nationals with valid US visit visas, US Green Cards, or UK and EU residence visas to enter the UAE on arrival, provided those visas are valid for at least six months at the time of arrival. The policy applies across all UAE entry points, including Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.
Arab News
10-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
UAE to grant 100,000 Pakistanis five-year visas this year – Sindh governor's office
KARACHI: The United Arab Emirates plans to issue five-year visas to 100,000 Pakistanis this year, according to an official statement released by authorities in Pakistan's Sindh province on Wednesday, following a visit by Governor Kamran Khan Tessori to the UAE consulate in Karachi. The governor's office and UAE authorities in Pakistan said this week all visa-related issues between the two countries had been resolved, and Pakistani nationals could now apply for five-year visas to the Emirates. The development came amid widespread reports in recent months of a decline in visa approvals for Pakistanis, allegedly due to violations of local laws and customs, as well as political sloganeering while abroad. Tessori visited the UAE consulate in Karachi on the invitation of UAE Ambassador Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi following a meeting between the two officials in Karachi on Monday. 'The governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, was warmly welcomed by the UAE ambassador and consul general during his visit to the UAE consulate,' the Governor House said in a statement. 'The governor toured the visa center at the consulate, where the ambassador briefed him on the facility,' it added. 'Ambassador Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi said 100,000 Pakistanis would be granted five-year visas. The consul general added that applicants would be treated with great respect at the visa center and receive full cooperation.' Earlier this week on Tuesday, the UAE consulate in Karachi issued a statement on the meeting between Tessori and Al-Zaabi. 'We love Pakistanis very much,' the statement quoted Consul General Bakheet Ateeq Al-Rumaithi as saying. 'Every person can apply for a UAE visa … Pakistani citizens can also apply for a UAE visa for work, medical treatment and other needs.' The UAE is home to more than a million Pakistani expatriates, making it the second-largest overseas Pakistani community globally and a major contributor to remittance inflows to Pakistan. Policymakers in Pakistan also view the UAE as an ideal export market due to its proximity, which reduces transportation and freight costs and facilitates smoother trade.
Express Tribune
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP denies allegations against governor
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders have vehemently rejected allegations of corruption levelled against Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and the party's Central Punjab general secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza. The accusations, made by a former media coordinator of the Governor House in a viral video message, claim that both leaders accepted a hefty bribe in exchange for appointing the accuser to an advisory role. A senior party official close to the governor, who is familiar with the situation, dismissed the claims as "a cock and bull story," challenging the accuser, Sardar Zulfiqar, to provide any evidence. The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing a handcuffed man identifying himself as Sardar Zulfiqar Ali, a former media coordinator to the Punjab governor. In the video, Zulfiqar claimed he had paid Rs70 million to secure the advisory role, accusing PPP General Secretary Hasan Murtaza, a man named Ajsam, and Governor Haider of involvement in the alleged deal. However, despite paying the bribe, he alleged that he was later removed from the post. He also claimed he was facing a politically motivated case and was being taken to Camp Jail. Zulfiqar further claimed that he had contested elections from NA-263 Quetta on a PML-N ticket and appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the judiciary to intervene. He further alleged that one "Mian Salman," who he claimed was acting as a frontman for military generals, had used the name of the chief of army staff to intimidate him and was the complainant in the case against him. Fact-Check While Zulfiqar was indeed appointed as media coordinator to the Punjab governor on December 24, 2024, his claim of contesting elections on a PML-N ticket was misleading. Records confirm that he ran as an independent candidate from NA-263 Quetta in the 2024 general elections and secured only 103 votes. According to a senior PPP leader, Zulfiqar was introduced to the Governor House through common friends of Hasan Murtaza. He was appointed as a media coordinator with the hope of establishing better ties with the business community. However, he was later denotified after allegations of financial misconduct surfaced against him. "The dispute is between Salman and Zulfiqarit has nothing to do with Governor Punjab or Hasan Murtaza," a party official clarified, accusing Zulfiqar of giving a "political colour" to a personal financial disput e. Responding to questions about Zulfiqar's background and why he was entrusted with the role, the party insider admitted, "This is where our leadership erred. His background was never properly vetted before his appointment". Following the controversy, the governor has officially announced that his office has no coordinators and assured that no further coordinators will be appointed in the future. Several senior PPP figures have expressed frustration over the issue, arguing that the governor's office should not be reduced to a "laughing stock". A senior party leader said, "It doesn't matter whether a bribe was taken or not. What matters is the sheer negligence in appointing a dubious individual". Another senior party member said that this was not the first instance of such allegations within PPP circles, adding that more cases of a similar nature were being discussed internally. He defended the governor, calling him an "honourable man", but cast doubt on some individuals within his close circle. Amid growing murmurs within the party, sources suggest that the issue will likely be discussed during an April 24 Iftar dinner being hosted in honour of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari at Governor House. PPP leader Hasan Murtaza talking to The Express Tribune rubbished the claims of Sardar Zulfiqar stating that how can FIRs lodged against Zulfiqar prior to him becoming the coordinator that too for a brief stint, have anything to do with him or the governor. He challenged Zulfiqar to bring forward any shred of evidence to back his frivolous claim of bribery. He said that his allegations of giving seventy million to him and others were laughable. Asked that where many in the party vouched for his and governors integrity, there they question scrutiny process conducted before selecting the said individual for this portfolio, he conceded that they had erred in selecting Sardar Zulfiqar. He said he was presented as notable of the trader community by his acquaintance.
