United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly suspended the issuance of labor visas for unskilled Pakistani workers, leaving a substantial portion of the Pakistani expatriate community in the Gulf nation in a state of uncertainty.
Unverified reports suggest that the ban was imposed without prior notice or any clear reasons.
Pakistani expatriates, who constitute more than 10 percent of the UAE's population, are among the largest and most significant communities in the country. The sudden suspension of labor visas for unskilled workers has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani diaspora.
The Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association has expressed deep concerns over the ban, describing it as "bad news" for those seeking job opportunities in the UAE. Adnan Paracha, a spokesperson for the association, revealed that the UAE Immigration Department implemented the ban without providing any explanation.
This abrupt policy change has resulted in numerous job applications from Pakistan being rejected, potentially affecting the livelihoods of many working-class Pakistanis.
The implications of this move go beyond individual job seekers, as Pakistan relies heavily on remittances from the UAE. With over $450 million in remittances coming in from the Gulf nation each month, the ban is expected to have a significant impact on the country's economy and the financial well-being of its people.
This development comes in the wake of the UAE's recent imposition of a ban on Dubai visit visas for residents of 20 nations. The reasons cited for this ban were overstaying and illegal working activities. Notably, this ban has affected nationals from 20 African countries and took effect immediately.
In addition to the suspension of labor visas, there are unconfirmed reports of the UAE rejecting visas for Pakistani residents with specific backgrounds, further heightening concerns within the Pakistani community in the UAE.
Earlier this year, Pakistani officials in the Gulf dismissed such reports as "baseless" and stated that there was no ban on Pakistani nationals seeking visit visas for the Gulf nation. However, the situation has evolved, and the uncertainty surrounding the issuance of visas to Pakistanis, especially unskilled workers, remains a cause for worry in the Pakistani expatriate community.
